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 With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
averted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is Price there?" he said with his face averted, and his hands still busy with the papers.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
budge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
busy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is Price there?" he said with his face averted, and his hands still busy with the papers.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
dared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
Duke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
efface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
eject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
encouraged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
expel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
finger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
Fortunately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading "Is Price there?" he said with his face averted, and his hands still busy with the papers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
horror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
inclination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
Isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is Price there?" he said with his face averted, and his hands still busy with the papers.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
laughed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
Martin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
merriment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
minds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
noddednounUS /nodded/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
paces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is Price there?" he said with his face averted, and his hands still busy with the papers.
Price
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is Price there?" he said with his face averted, and his hands still busy with the papers.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is Price there?" he said with his face averted, and his hands still busy with the papers.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
stragglers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is Price there?" he said with his face averted, and his hands still busy with the papers.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading This a little encouraged him, but not much; and in his fear of what I might, in spite of my promise, let out, if I were left alone with his master, he was still in two minds whether he should eject me or not, when the Duke spoke.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fortunately I remembered that a still tongue was all he need wish; and I laid my finger on my lips and nodded to him.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the least inclination towards merriment I must have laughed at the face of horror with which Mr. Martin, when he went a few minutes later, to expel the last stragglers, came on me where I stood, trying to efface myself behind the door.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He dared not speak, for the Duke was standing at the table a few paces from him; and I would not budge.
