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 THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
abridgment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
absent-mindedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
almost-married
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
attracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
awakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
bite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
crassly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
dejected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
discouraged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
divert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
evident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
ferocity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
grief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
growlingnounUS /ˈgrowling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
HAYSTACK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
ignored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
ill-success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
impersonation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
inanition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
ingenuity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
jealousy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
lack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
mutual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
NEEDLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
paralysis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
pocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
porter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
pretence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
Snoozleums's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new ring attracted his special jealousy.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
terror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEEDLE IN THE HAYSTACK The almost-married couple sat long in mutual terror and a common paralysis of ingenuity.
threatening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
trance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
twisting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie was awakened from her trance of inanition by the porter's voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Marjorie, for lack of anything better to do, was absent-mindedly twisting Snoozleums's ears, while he, that pocket abridgment of a dog, in a well meaning effort to divert her from her evident grief, made a great pretence of ferocity, growling and threatening to bite her fingers off.
wolf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was growing discouraged at the ill-success of his impersonation of a wolf, and dejected at being so crassly ignored, when he suddenly became, in his turn, a center of interest.
