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 “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
add
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Our honour and our word, madam,” answered Ruthven.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
assurance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
balancenounUS /ˈbalance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
barter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
cabals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
converse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
CouncilnounUS /council/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
demit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
estate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
handful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
hathauxiliary verbUS /hæθ/
an old form of “has”
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
hitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
kingdom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
kingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
language
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
Madam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
orator
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Our honour and our word, madam,” answered Ruthven.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
pledges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
Queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
Ruthven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
schools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
Scotland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
seclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
thistle-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
treaty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
unsolid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
warrant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
wars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
weep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
weight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are too slight and unsolid pledges, my lord,” said the Queen; “add at least a handful of thistle-down to give them weight in the balance.”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “And what warrant have I,” said the Queen, “that ye will keep treaty with me, if I should barter my kingly estate for seclusion, and leave to weep in secret?”
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Our honour and our word, madam,” answered Ruthven.
yepronounUS /jiː/
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading We but desire to know if, on assurance of life and honour, ye will demit the rule of this kingdom of Scotland?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Madam,” said Ruthven, “we know that you are an orator; and perhaps for that reason the Council has sent hither men, whose converse hath been more with the wars, than with the language of the schools or the cabals of state.
