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 THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
absurd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
annoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
breathing
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From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
Canaletto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
COMPACT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
discriminate
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From this reading They will not learn to discriminate.
Evelyn
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From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
exceedingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
existing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
Forbes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
fortunate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
gaucherie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
hostess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
incident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will not learn to discriminate.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They will not learn to discriminate.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
People
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
petrified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
rescue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
sees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
stumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They will not learn to discriminate.
Theydon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
unwittingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People often sit in that very place of an afternoon, because any one seated just there sees the Canaletto on the opposite wall in the best light.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading They will not learn to discriminate.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE COMPACT So petrified was Theydon by coming face to face with the last person breathing whom he expected to meet in that room, that he stumbled over a small chair which lay directly between him and his hostess.
wooden-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At any other time the gaucherie would have annoyed him exceedingly; in the existing circumstances, no more fortunate incident could have happened, since it brought Evelyn Forbes herself unwittingly to the rescue.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I have spoken twenty times about chairs being left in that absurd position," she cried, as their hands met, "but you know how wooden-headed servants are.
