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 Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
acre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
appurtenances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
assertion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
attempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
attractive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was not a blade of grass to be seen.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
blade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was not a blade of grass to be seen.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
contemplated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
Crinkett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
devil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
dragging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was not a blade of grass to be seen.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
Hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
hideous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
justify
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
mansion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
marvellous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
metals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
mining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was not a blade of grass to be seen.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
operations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
Polyeuka
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
rake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was not a blade of grass to be seen.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
signs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
stables
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
swell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was not a blade of grass to be seen.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The house and little attempted garden, together with the stables and appurtenances, may have occupied half an acre.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All around it were those hideous signs of mining operations which make a country rich in metals look as though the devil had walked over it, dragging behind him an enormous rake.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Polyeuka Hall The house which they saw certainly surprised them much, and seemed to justify the assertion just before made to them that Mr. Crinkett was a swell.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It was marvellous that any man should have contemplated the building of such a mansion in a place so little attractive, with so many houses within view.
