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 ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
afford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
amusement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
angry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
Bailey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
bear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
Biffen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
Biffen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
coldly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
contemptuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
declined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
fifteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
firm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
Grocer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
Milvain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
notwithstanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
novelist's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
offered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
pounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
profits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
publishers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
reviewers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
sages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
skilful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Milvain’s skilful efforts notwithstanding, ‘Mr Bailey, Grocer,’ had no success.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading ‘Let Mr Biffen bear in mind,’ said one of these sages, ‘that a novelist’s first duty is to tell a story.’
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But reviewers in general were either angry or coldly contemptuous.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading By two publishers the book had been declined; the firm which brought it out offered the author half profits and fifteen pounds on account, greatly to Harold Biffen’s satisfaction.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Mr Biffen,’ wrote another, ‘seems not to understand that a work of art must before everything else afford amusement.’
