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 hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
belonging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
bought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
defunct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
eleven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.
fixtures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
foreclose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
glanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
grim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
influenced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
knell-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
LEAVE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MUST LEAVE THE TOWN.
McElwin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.
mortgage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
MUSTmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading MUST LEAVE THE TOWN.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
proclaiming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
promptness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
reflective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.
sale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
Sawyer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
self-importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes later Zeb Sawyer was shown into the room.
solemn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
speculation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
stroke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MUST LEAVE THE TOWN.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
tolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
TOWN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MUST LEAVE THE TOWN.
tribute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
vaguely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It struck with solemn self-importance, as if proclaiming the hour to foreclose a mortgage; and though not given to this sort of reflective speculation, McElwin must have been vaguely influenced by its knell-like stroke, for he nearly always glanced up as if a tribute were due to its promptness.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The hour was tolled off by a grim old clock standing high in a corner, a rare old time piece with a history, or at least a past, of interest to McElwin, for it had been bought at the forced sale of fixtures belonging to a defunct bank.
Zeb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At eleven o'clock the next day, Zeb Sawyer was to meet McElwin at the bank.
