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 KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
actor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
admits
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From this reading Life admits of no lookers-on.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
AMauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
expressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
Glenalvon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
justice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
KENELM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
LifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Life admits of no lookers-on.
looker-on
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
lookers-on
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life admits of no lookers-on.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
metaphor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
pause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
saddens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
talents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
theatre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
trust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (After a pause.)--"But though I used a stage metaphor when I expressed my hope that you would take no mean part in the world, the world is not really a theatre.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading KENELM.--"When you go to the theatre, and see one of the pieces which appear now to be the fashion, which would you rather be,--an actor or a looker-on?"
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LADY GLENALVON.--"My dear young friend, your question saddens me."
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I AM glad to see you once more in the world," said Lady Glenalvon; "and I trust that you are now prepared to take that part in it which ought to be no mean one if you do justice to your talents and your nature."
