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 OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
acknowledged
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From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
add
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
address
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
amiss
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From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
Bervie
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From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
Bowmore
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From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
Bowmore's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new footman who had entered Mr. Bowmore's service was a Spy.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
chosen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
defended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
Department
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
employment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new footman who had entered Mr. Bowmore's service was a Spy.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
follows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
footman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new footman who had entered Mr. Bowmore's service was a Spy.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
furnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
Government
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
Home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
infamous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
informers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
introduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
Linwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
Liverpool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
Lords
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
March
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
measure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new footman who had entered Mr. Bowmore's service was a Spy.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new footman who had entered Mr. Bowmore's service was a Spy.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
notes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
Office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
OFFICIAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
openly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
Percy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
practiced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
proceedings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
Redesdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
report
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
reports
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
SecretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
SECRETS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
series
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new footman who had entered Mr. Bowmore's service was a Spy.
speeches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
spies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may not be amiss to add that the employment of paid spies and informers, by the English Government of that time, was openly acknowledged in the House of Lords, and was defended as a necessary measure in the speeches of Lord Redesdale and Lord Liverpool.*
Spy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The new footman who had entered Mr. Bowmore's service was a Spy.
superiors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
THERE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
vocation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading OFFICIAL SECRETS THERE WAS a more serious reason than Bervie was aware of, at the time, for the warning which he had thought it his duty to address to Percy Linwood.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The new footman who had entered Mr. Bowmore's service was a Spy.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The reports furnished by the Home Office Spy, under these circumstances, begin with the month of March, and take the form of a series of notes introduced as follows:
wretch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well practiced in the infamous vocation that he followed, the wretch had been chosen by the Department of Secret Service at the Home Office, to watch the proceedings of Mr. Bowmore and his friends, and to report the result to his superiors.
