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 He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
amazed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
arduous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
Boyce's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
canvassing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
ease
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
enjoying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
fender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
French
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
hoarse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
indolent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.
intensely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
knee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
Mellor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
mire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
motive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.
nightsnounUS /naɪts/
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
novels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
parcel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
rustics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.
spout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
to-morrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.
Wharton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wharton was sitting alone in the big Mellor drawing-room, after dinner.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What did I do it for?" he asked himself; "what am I going to do it for again to-morrow?"
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, beside this fire and at a distance, it amazed him that any motive whatever, public or private, should ever have been strong enough to take him out through the mire on these winter nights to spout himself hoarse to a parcel of rustics.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had drawn one of the few easy chairs the room possessed to the fire, and with his feet on the fender, and one of Mr. Boyce's French novels on his knee, he was intensely enjoying a moment of physical ease.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The work of these weeks of canvassing and speaking had been arduous, and he was naturally indolent.
