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 At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
afford
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From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
all
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From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
American
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From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
author
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From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
author's
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From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
book
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From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
book-agent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
book-dealer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
case
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From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
Clemens's
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From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
enlargement
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From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
experiment
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From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
fabulously
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From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
facts
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From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
gains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
illogical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
literary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
literature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
Mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
offered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
ourspronounUS /ˈaʊərz/
the one or ones belonging to us
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
percentage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
probability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
prospered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
publication
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
quality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
reasonable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
sales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
sold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
subscription
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
trade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
Twain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Such of us as made experiment of him, however, found the facts illogical.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
well-known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one time there seemed a probability of the enlargement of the author’s gains by subscription publication, and one very well-known American author prospered fabulously in that way.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The percentage offered by the subscription houses was only about half as much as that paid by the trade, but the sales were so much greater that the author could very well afford to take it.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading No book of literary quality was made to go by subscription except Mr. Clemens’s books, and I think these went because the subscription public never knew what good literature they were.
WhereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Where the book-dealer sold ten, the book-agent sold a hundred; or at least he did so in the case of Mark Twain’s books; and we all thought it reasonable he could do so with ours.
