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 WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
Alcalde
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
Barenna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
blew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
cheeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
conciliating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
consent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
Conyngham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
Conyngham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
discrétion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
du
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From this reading A WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
encouragement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
est
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
Estella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Estella was looking haughtily at her father, and would not meet Conyngham’s glance.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Estella was looking haughtily at her father, and would not meet Conyngham’s glance.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
frowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
General
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
glance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Estella was looking haughtily at her father, and would not meet Conyngham’s glance.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
haughtily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Estella was looking haughtily at her father, and would not meet Conyngham’s glance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Estella was looking haughtily at her father, and would not meet Conyngham’s glance.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
Julia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
l'art
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
La
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Estella was looking haughtily at her father, and would not meet Conyngham’s glance.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Estella was looking haughtily at her father, and would not meet Conyngham’s glance.
mensonge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Estella was looking haughtily at her father, and would not meet Conyngham’s glance.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
satisfying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
Señora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
Vincente
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE Alcalde blew out his cheeks and looked at General Vincente.
WAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Estella was looking haughtily at her father, and would not meet Conyngham’s glance.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading ‘I feel sure,’ said General Vincente in his most conciliating manner, ‘that my dear Julia will see the necessity of satisfying the good Alcalde by showing him the letter—with, of course, the consent of my friend Conyngham.’
WIT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WAR OF WIT ‘La discrétion est l’art du mensonge.’
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Señora Barenna would with small encouragement have thrown herself into Conyngham’s arms; but she received none whatever, and instead frowned at Julia.
