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 history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
Accordingly
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From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
acquaintance
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From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
aristocratic
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From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
arm
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From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
certain
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From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
content
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From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
crowd
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From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪərəs/
having a strong wish to do or obtain something
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
disdain
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From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
displeasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
door
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From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
dress
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From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
elbowed
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From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
exterior
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From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
followed
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From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
garments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
Gordon's
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From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
guidance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
invitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
jokes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
kennel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
losing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
manner
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From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
midst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
novelty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
odour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
offered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
philosophical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
pretended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
pursuing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
regardless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
shabbiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
sooner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
throng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
vagabond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The history of a philosophical vagabond, pursuing novelty, and losing content.
Vicar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Vicar of Wakefield.
Wakefield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Vicar of Wakefield.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
wearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This was an honour of which we were by no means desirous; for, to say nothing of the shabbiness of Mr. Gordon's exterior, there was a certain odour in his garments which was possibly less displeasing to the wearer than to his acquaintance.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We followed our strange friend through the crowd at the door, which he elbowed on either side with the most aristocratic disdain, perfectly regardless of their jokes at his dress and manner; he no sooner got through the throng, than he stopped short (though in the midst of the kennel) and offered us his arm.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Accordingly, we pretended not to notice this invitation, and merely said, we would follow his guidance.
