Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
Ardmore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
bend
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From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
bent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
browned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
cheek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
close
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From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
correctly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nothing, however, could have drawn his gaze from that map.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
Curlie
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From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
drawn
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From this reading Nothing, however, could have drawn his gaze from that map.
eagerness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
examine
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From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
faithfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
finger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
freshly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
gaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing, however, could have drawn his gaze from that map.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
Gladys
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From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Nothing, however, could have drawn his gaze from that map.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Nothing, however, could have drawn his gaze from that map.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
magnate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
MAP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
marks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
Motioning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
MYSTERIOUSadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing, however, could have drawn his gaze from that map.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
patched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
photograph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
photographic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
print
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
printednounUS /printed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
reproduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
revealing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
smirched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
torn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Curlie stood there looking down at it, the girl in her eagerness bent down so close to him that he felt her warm breath on his cheek.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MAP It was indeed a curious map which had been reproduced on the large photographic print which Gladys Ardmore placed on the desk before her father.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Motioning Curlie to come forward and examine it with them, the magnate rose from his chair to bend over the map.
Wrinkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrinkled, torn in places, patched, browned with age, smirched by many finger marks, all of which were faithfully reproduced by the freshly printed photograph, it still gave promise of revealing many a mystery if one could but read it correctly.
