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 Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
admiral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
affair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
agent's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
appointment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
brushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
bumps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
cartridges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
cattle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
chap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
EverythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/
to show or communicate a feeling or idea
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
fastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
fellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
fishy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
forehead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
glitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
globular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
ill-luck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
Madagascar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
neglect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
parting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
Pierre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
pivot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
Prince
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
Ravonalo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
scheme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
starting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
stupidity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ‘I did not start in search of Jim at once, only because I had really an appointment which I could not neglect.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had something to do with cattle and cartridges and a Prince Ravonalo something; but the pivot of the whole affair was the stupidity of some admiral--Admiral Pierre, I think.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything turned on that, and the chap couldn’t find words strong enough to express his confidence.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had globular eyes starting out of his head with a fishy glitter, bumps on his forehead, and wore his long hair brushed back without a parting.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then, as ill-luck would have it, in my agent’s office I was fastened upon by a fellow fresh from Madagascar with a little scheme for a wonderful piece of business.
