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 it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
accept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
affair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
afresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to preserve silence.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
Catherine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
concerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
entrusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to preserve silence.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
Half-an-hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
intellect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
interval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
MICHEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
mission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to preserve silence.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
pledged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to preserve silence.
PORTE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PORTE ST.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
preservation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
preserve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to preserve silence.
Queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to preserve silence.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to preserve silence.
skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
ST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PORTE ST.
subtle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
suffice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PORTE ST.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading The people concerned in it are dead, and when I follow them the secret will go with me.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In regard to the mission with which I was entrusted I am pledged to preserve silence.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Let it suffice for me to say that my task was such that a man of honour could accept, and that if I failed the preservation of my skin was my own affair, for help I would get from none.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading MICHEL Half-an-hour later, when I quitted the presence of the Queen, it was as one to whom the world was opening afresh, and in that brief interval I had felt and begun to understand the subtle intellect of Catherine, of the existence of which few as yet were aware.
