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 A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
awkward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
behooved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it behooved Clancy to tread warily.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
Bureau
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the Bureau is no respecter of persons.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the Bureau is no respecter of persons.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
capture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
Clancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it behooved Clancy to tread warily.
Clancy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
CRIME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
DARING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
department
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
designed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
Detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
disagreeably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
dossiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
finance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
fish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
handle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the Bureau is no respecter of persons.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
mackerel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
Meiklejohn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
Men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
names
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
nets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
persons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the Bureau is no respecter of persons.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
politics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
pry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
respecter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the Bureau is no respecter of persons.
Senator
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
Senators
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
similar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
StillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Still, it behooved Clancy to tread warily.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
tread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it behooved Clancy to tread warily.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
warily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, it behooved Clancy to tread warily.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A DARING CRIME It was no part of Detective Clancy's business to pry into the private affairs of Senator Meiklejohn.
whales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Senators are awkward fish to handle, being somewhat similar to whales caught in nets designed to capture mackerel.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Men much higher up in politics and finance than William Meiklejohn would be disagreeably surprised if they could read certain details entered opposite their names in the _dossiers_ kept by the police department.
