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, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And who can say where the usher ends and the schoolmaster begins?
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
assist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
begins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And who can say where the usher ends and the schoolmaster begins?
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading And who can say where the usher ends and the schoolmaster begins?
candidates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
certificates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
CHOOSES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HARRY CLAVERING CHOOSES HIS PROFESSION.
CLAVERING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HARRY CLAVERING CHOOSES HIS PROFESSION.
ends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And who can say where the usher ends and the schoolmaster begins?
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
HARRY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HARRY CLAVERING CHOOSES HIS PROFESSION.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
hired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HARRY CLAVERING CHOOSES HIS PROFESSION.
holidays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
neverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
occupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
pretended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
PROFESSION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HARRY CLAVERING CHOOSES HIS PROFESSION.
properly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
qualification
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
reference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And who can say where the usher ends and the schoolmaster begins?
schoolmaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And who can say where the usher ends and the schoolmaster begins?
selected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
usher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
ushers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Harry Clavering might not be an usher, but, nevertheless, he was home for the holidays.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading And who can say where the usher ends and the schoolmaster begins?
whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/
in contrast with the fact that
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading And who can say where the usher ends and the schoolmaster begins?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He, perhaps, may properly be called an usher, who is hired by a private schoolmaster to assist himself in his private occupation, whereas Harry Clavering had been selected by a public body out of a hundred candidates, with much real or pretended reference to certificates of qualification.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was certainly not an usher, as he was paid three hundred a year for his work,--which is quite beyond the mark of ushers.
