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 It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
abandoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
careful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
Chelsford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
CHELSFORD'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
dined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
DIPLOMACY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
Ducaine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
encouraged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
guest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
host
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
implicit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
indisposition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
LORD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
Office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
owing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
postponed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
reposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
reticence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
Royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
subsequent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
tete-a-tete
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From the moment of our arrival at Chelsford House my host had encouraged nothing but the most general conversation.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
treat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
War
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It happened that they were alone, as a great dinner party had been postponed at the last moment owing to some Royal indisposition.
wife's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lord Chelsford in his wife's presence was careful to treat me as an ordinary guest; but directly she had left the room and we were alone he abandoned his reticence.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading LORD CHELSFORD'S DIPLOMACY I dined alone with Lord and Lady Chelsford.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Mr. Ducaine," he said, "from the time of our last conversation at the War Office and our subsequent _tete-a-tete_ I have reposed in you the most implicit confidence."
