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 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
absolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
aroused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
Beorminster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
bottom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
carter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
cases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
channels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
criminal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
crossing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
exceptions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
flowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
FULL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
genesis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
gesture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
HeathnounUS /hiːθ/
open uncultivated land covered with low plants
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
marvellous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
mentioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
Monday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
pervaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
rapiditynounUS /rəˈpɪdəti/
great speed
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
RUMOUR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
safety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
source
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
Southberry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
spreads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
ThereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
TONGUES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'RUMOUR FULL OF TONGUES' It is almost impossible to learn the genesis of a rumour.
trace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
traced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Therefore, the rumour which pervaded Beorminster on Monday morning was soon traced by the police to a carter from Southberry.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading This man mentioned to a friend that, when crossing the Heath during the early morning, he had come across the body of a man.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
winding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be started by a look, a word, a gesture, and it spreads with such marvellous rapidity that by the time public curiosity is fully aroused, no one can trace the original source, so many and winding are the channels through which it has flowed.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet there are exceptions to this general rule, especially in criminal cases, where, for the safety of the public, it is absolutely necessary to get to the bottom of the matter.