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 This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
boys
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From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
Brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
ceremony
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From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
comely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
displays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
drive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
flails
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From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
freedom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
good-humour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
grounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
harvests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
Host
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
humour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
inmates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
INN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEW INN.
innkeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
jovial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
merry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
messmates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
NEW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEW INN.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
o
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
personage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
ploughs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
privilege
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
privileged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
rendezvous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
restraint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
specially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
suitable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
tale-tellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
temporary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEW INN.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I am an innkeeper, and know my grounds, And study them; Brain o' man, I study them.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
thwack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
travellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
whistling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must have jovial guests to drive my ploughs, And whistling boys to bring my harvests home, Or I shall hear no flails thwack.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This is specially suitable when the scene is laid during the old days of merry England, when the guests were in some sort not merely the inmates, but the messmates and temporary companions of mine Host, who was usually a personage of privileged freedom, comely presence, and good-humour.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It is the privilege of tale-tellers to open their story in an inn, the free rendezvous of all travellers, and where the humour of each displays itself without ceremony or restraint.
