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 Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
adventures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
bear'st
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
burden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
completely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
complicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
eccentricity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
equal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
Etherington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
explode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
Fatuus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
fortunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
governed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
Ignis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
n'importe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
Nitre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
Old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
perversely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
Play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
rare and worth a great deal
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
prepare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
reflections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
REPLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE REPLY.
ruled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
Scottish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
See
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
services
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
statement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
sulphur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE REPLY.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
ThoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading Thou bear'st a precious burden, gentle post, Nitre and sulphur--See that it explode not!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But _n'importe_, Etherington, you were my friend--you held me up when I was completely broken down; and, whatever you may think, my services are at your command much more from reflections on the past, than hopes for the future.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The Ignis Fatuus which, you say, governed your father, seems to have ruled the fortunes of your whole house, there is so much eccentricity in all that you have told me.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Old Play._ "I have received your two long letters, my dear Etherington, with equal surprise and interest; for what I knew of your Scottish adventures before, was by no means sufficient to prepare me for a statement so perversely complicated.
