Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
10th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
addressed
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From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
ago
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From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
altogether
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From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
annoyed
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From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
behaved
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From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
contents
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From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
cutter
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From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
DEAR
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From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
divined
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From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
envelope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
to think that something will happen
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
fault
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
felt
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From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
FRIVOLITY
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From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
handwriting
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From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
highly-scented
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From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
hope
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From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
horridly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
March
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From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
missive
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From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
Peter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
rate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
Ruff
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From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
slid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
THEATRE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
