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 He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
Alpenny
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From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
bars
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From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
Beatrice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
bolts
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From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
buried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
career
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From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
clue
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From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
connected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Who had done it no one seemed to know.
door-nail
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From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
eighty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
end
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From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
evil-doers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
feigned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
halting
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From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
ignorance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Who had done it no one seemed to know.
Jarvis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Who had done it no one seemed to know.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
Nemesis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Who had done it no one seemed to know.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Who had done it no one seemed to know.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
owing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
Paslow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
PowersnounUS /powers/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
precautionsplural nounUS /prɪˈkɔʃənz/
actions taken to prevent danger
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
rural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
seclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Who had done it no one seemed to know.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
Snow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
sordid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
speedily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
supplied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
unpleasantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had buried himself in seclusion; he had surrounded himself with bolts and bars and other precautions; but the order that his sordid career should end had come from the Powers that deal with evil-doers, and he was as dead as a door-nail.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Who had done it no one seemed to know.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
wrinkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And very unpleasantly he had died too, for his wrinkled throat had been cut from ear to ear.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After eighty years, halting Nemesis had at last caught up with Jarvis Alpenny.
zeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beatrice might have supplied a clue; but for reasons connected with the Paslow family she held her tongue, and feigned ignorance when the rural police came on the scene, which they did very speedily, owing to the zeal of Mrs. Snow.
