Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
altered
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From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
any
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From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
attendant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
banal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
banality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
Bricks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
cases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
comfort's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
conclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
conditions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
crimes
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From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
devote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
enclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
energies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
entering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
existing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
fronts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
hideous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
hyper-sensitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
imaginative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
insistedverbUS /ɪnˈsɪstɪd/
demanded something firmly
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
knocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
mental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
mortar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
noncommittal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
obvious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
policeman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
speculation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
suffering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
suggestive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
sword
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The conclusion is obvious to banality—but as suggestive as banal—so suggestive in fact that the hyper-sensitive and too imaginative had better, for their own comfort’s sake, leave the matter alone.
tragedies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
transpiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If one were to devote one’s mental energies to speculation as to what is going on behind the noncommittal fronts of any row of houses in any great city the imaginative mind might be led far.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bricks, mortar, windows, doors, steps which lead up to the threshold, are what are to be seen from the outside.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Nothing particular may be transpiring within the walls, or tragedies, crimes, hideous suffering may be enclosed.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In most cases the existing conditions would not be altered even if one knocked at the door and insisted on entering with drawn sword in the form of attendant policeman.
