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 He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
arise
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From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
bully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
cursed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
Dominus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
doom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
em
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
filched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
flock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
four-and-twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
heaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
ill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
land
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From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
laudetur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
livers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
net
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
parts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
profit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
screen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
Shaven-crown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
slyer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
spies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
stare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
starting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
Sumner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
thanked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
thieve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
thieves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
Tis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Tis truth.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ’Tis truth.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
villain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
villainy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading [“No,” cried the Sumner, starting from his gloom, “Nor have we any hold, Sir Shaven-crown, On your fine flock, the ladies of the town.”
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Well could he spare ill livers, three or four, To help his net to four-and-twenty more.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading He had a Sumner ready to his hand; A slyer bully filched not in the land; For in all parts the villain had his spies To let him know where profit might arise.
YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Your Sumner may stare hard for me; I shall not screen, not I, his villainy; For heaven be thanked, _laudetur Dominus_, They have no hold, these cursed thieves, on us; Nor never shall have, let ’em thieve till doom.
