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 POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
admit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
ALEXANDER
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From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her grievance against him was at least as great as Euphrosyne’s; her peril was far greater.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
cannot
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From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
concern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
confess
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From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/
the inner sense of right and wrong
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
Constantine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
Constantine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
contrive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
cool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
deceive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
deserved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
doubted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
employment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
Euphrosyne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her grievance against him was at least as great as Euphrosyne’s; her peril was far greater.
excuse
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From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her grievance against him was at least as great as Euphrosyne’s; her peril was far greater.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
finds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her grievance against him was at least as great as Euphrosyne’s; her peril was far greater.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
grievance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her grievance against him was at least as great as Euphrosyne’s; her peril was far greater.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her grievance against him was at least as great as Euphrosyne’s; her peril was far greater.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her grievance against him was at least as great as Euphrosyne’s; her peril was far greater.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
lawful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her grievance against him was at least as great as Euphrosyne’s; her peril was far greater.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
maidennoun, literaryUS /ˈmeɪdən/
a young woman who is not married
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
mattress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
maybe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
murder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
nayexclamationUS /neɪ/
an old word for “no”
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
offence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
ONE-EYED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
peril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her grievance against him was at least as great as Euphrosyne’s; her peril was far greater.
POEM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
Poets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
share
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
sore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
venial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE POEM OF ONE-EYED ALEXANDER There is a matter on my conscience which I cannot excuse but may as well confess.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poets have paid more attention to the first offence--maybe they know more about it--the law finds greater employment, on the whole, in respect to the second.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For me, I admit that it was not till I found myself stretched on a mattress in the kitchen, with the idea of getting a few hours’ sleep, that it struck me that Constantine’s wife deserved a share of my concern and care.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To deceive a maiden is a very sore thing, so sore that it had made us all hot against Constantine; but it may be doubted by a cool mind whether it is worse, nay, whether it is not more venial than to contrive the murder of a lawful wife.
