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 As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
Application
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From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
Ardry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
Batch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
Bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
Brave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
Catholic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
Certain
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From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
coffee-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
considerably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
Dog-Fighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
Dogs
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From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
Eloquent
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From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
embarrassed
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From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
Flinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
frequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
Ireland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
Learning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
Letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
Opposites
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
pages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
parents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
Places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
property
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
Redoubled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
Roman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was born of an ancient Roman Catholic family in Ireland; his parents, whose only child he was, had long been dead.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
Sharpers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
spendthrift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
Strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
survived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Francis Ardry--Certain Sharpers--Brave and Eloquent--Opposites--Flinging the Bones--Strange Places--Dog-Fighting--Learning and Letters--Batch of Dogs--Redoubled Application.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
visited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it is necessary that the reader should know something more about this young man, who will frequently appear in the course of these pages, I will state in a few words who and what he was.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His father, who had survived his mother several years, had been a spendthrift, and at his death had left the family property considerably embarrassed.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening I was visited by the tall young gentleman, Francis Ardry, whose acquaintance I had formed at the coffee-house.
