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 About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
bidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
catching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
corridor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
desiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
disregard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
dodging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
dressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
drying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
dusky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
glimpse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
ill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Is Mr. Mortimer ill?”
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
knocking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
Leila
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No,” said Leila petulantly.
maid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
mistress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
Mortimer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
Mortimer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
Mullins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading “No,” said Leila petulantly.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
persistent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
petulantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No,” said Leila petulantly.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No,” said Leila petulantly.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
shadowy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
TellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Tell Mullins to say that I can not see anybody,” and catching a glimpse of the shadowy Mullins dodging about the dusky corridor: “What is the matter?
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It was Mortimer's man, desiring to know whether Mrs. Mortimer could receive Mr. Mortimer at once on matters of importance.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading About four o'clock on the following afternoon Mrs. Mortimer's maid, who had almost finished drying and dressing her mistress' hair, was called to the door by a persistent knocking, which at first she had been bidden to disregard.
