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 It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We were in the stable at the time this conversation took place.
avails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
Bates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were in the stable at the time this conversation took place.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
holidays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
honorable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We were in the stable at the time this conversation took place.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Yes, sir, but what is it you want me to do?"
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were in the stable at the time this conversation took place.
reconsidered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
shoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, sir, but what is it you want me to do?"
sister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
stable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were in the stable at the time this conversation took place.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We were in the stable at the time this conversation took place.
threat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We were in the stable at the time this conversation took place.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We were in the stable at the time this conversation took place.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Do you understand?"
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, sir, but what is it you want me to do?"
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were in the stable at the time this conversation took place.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Yes, sir, but what is it you want me to do?"
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
wins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have told you that if Bates wins my sister I will cut his throat; I have reconsidered that threat--I will not cut his throat, but I will give him a chance to shoot me, and if he avails himself of it like a man, all shall be fair, but if he does not, I will shoot him.
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, sir, but what is it you want me to do?"
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must have been nearly a week later, for I know that the holidays were drawing to a close, when my young master said to me: "Dan, I must ask you to do something which may not seem to be very honorable, but which must be done.
