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 The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a desire for food
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Are you the waiter,” asked the stranger, sharply.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading --The Stranger finds Fenton as mysterious as Himself.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Are you the waiter,” asked the stranger, sharply.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
coolly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
dainty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
delay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
disappointmentnounUS /ˈdisappointment/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
excellent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
to think that something will happen
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
Fenton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --The Stranger finds Fenton as mysterious as Himself.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
finds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --The Stranger finds Fenton as mysterious as Himself.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
herrings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
HimselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading --The Stranger finds Fenton as mysterious as Himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
imagination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
inn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
inquire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
ludicrous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
male
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading --The Stranger finds Fenton as mysterious as Himself.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
ploughing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
provided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
reaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
ringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
salt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
says
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
Shakspeare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Are you the waiter,” asked the stranger, sharply.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
Stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --The Stranger finds Fenton as mysterious as Himself.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
taught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading --The Stranger finds Fenton as mysterious as Himself.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
waiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The stranger, on reaching the inn, had not long to wait for dinner, which, to his disappointment, was anything but what he had been taught to expect.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
wiping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On sitting down, he found before him two excellent salt herrings to begin with; and on ringing the bell to inquire why he was provided with such a dainty, the male waiter himself, who had finished the field he had been ploughing, made his appearance, after a delay of about five minutes, very coolly wiping his mouth, for he had been at dinner.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fair “waiter” had led his imagination a very ludicrous dance, indeed, having, as Shakspeare says, kept the word of promise to his ear, but broken it to his hope, and, what was still worse, to his appetite.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Are you the waiter,” asked the stranger, sharply.
