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 A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
casting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
COMMENTARIES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.
delayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
DespiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
ereconjunctionUS /er/
an old word for “before”
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
forget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
gates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
hamlet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
horse's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
leagues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
nag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
Pierrebon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
Pierrebon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
Poitiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
righted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length matters were righted, and we continued our journey.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
savednounUS /saved/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
shoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
stretch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
sullenly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
twice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
useless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
wag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Despite all our care we were delayed by Pierrebon's nag casting a shoe, and this meant a stop for nearly an hour at a small hamlet, the name of which I forget.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Pierrebon, who loved to wag his tongue, once or twice tried to open a talk, but finding his efforts useless dropped away back.
wornverbUS /wɔːrn/
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading It was not possible to go fast, as the horses were worn, and had to be saved for the stretch of nearly six leagues that lay between us and Poitiers, which, however, I had made up my mind to reach ere the gates were closed for the night.
WRITER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A WRITER OF COMMENTARIES I rode sullenly on, my eyes between my horse's ears.
