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 Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
all
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From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
Arthur
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From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
assistance
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From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
banknotes
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
betray
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From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
better
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
bitter
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
bribe
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From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
cake
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
carried
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
certain
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From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
congratulate
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
cursed
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From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
defiance
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From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
disagreeable
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From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
exacting
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
expended
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From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
fired
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From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
given
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From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
greater
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From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
hundred
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
imagination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
imperfect
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From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
James
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From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
man
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From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
Marks
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From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
mood
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From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
more
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
Northway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
owned
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From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
picture
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From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
pocket-book
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
political
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
pounds
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From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
principle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
Quarrier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
Quarrier's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
rage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
reached
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From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
reflect
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From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
resolved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
ruse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arthur James Northway reached London in a mood of imperfect satisfaction.
schemes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
secured
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From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
substantial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
sum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
valuable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
value
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the principle that half a cake was better than nothing, he might congratulate himself that he carried in his pocket-book banknotes to the value of five hundred pounds; but it was a bitter necessity that had forbidden his exacting more.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading And yet, it was not disagreeable to picture Quarrier's rage when he found that the bribe had been expended to no purpose.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then he cursed the man Marks, whose political schemes would betray the valuable secret, and make it certain that none of that more substantial assistance promised by Quarrier would ever be given.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading The possession of a sum greater than he had ever yet owned fired his imagination; he began to reflect that, after all, Quarrier's defiance was most likely nothing but a ruse; that by showing himself resolved, he might have secured at least the thousand pounds.
