Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
22
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
aged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
Argus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
bewilderednounUS /bewildered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
blow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
drop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
faith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
governess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
HEADSTONE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
Helen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
helpless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
horrible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
newspaper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
rigid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
shocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
stunned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.
stupidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
suddenness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The suddenness of the blow had stunned him.
Talboys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
tidings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
Times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
VENTNOR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HEADSTONE AT VENTNOR.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
wonder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this strange and bewildered state of mind he began to wonder what had happened, and why it was that one line in the Times newspaper could have so horrible an effect upon him.
worst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes, there it was in black and white"Helen Talboys, aged 22."
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading When George told the governess on board the Argus that if he heard any evil tidings of his wife he should drop down dead, he spoke in perfect good faith; and yet, here were the worst tidings that could come to him, and he sat rigid, white and helpless, staring stupidly at the shocked face of his friend.