Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
1901
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
authorities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
Bates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
bearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
belated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
Couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
Cruz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
dated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
DEAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
December
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
deck-hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
Donovan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
dressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
eagerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
EAVESDROPPERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
European
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
fifteenth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
hoped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
Laurance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
lucky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
mail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
MAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
merry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
Mexico
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
OLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
Orleans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
PAIR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
postmarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
pounced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
seriously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
south-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
stamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Couldn’t get away for a European port as I hoped when I left you, as the authorities seemed to be taking my case seriously, and I was lucky to get off as a deck-hand on a south-bound boat.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
Vera
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was dated, however, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, December fifteenth, 1901.
well-known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pounced eagerly upon a letter in Laurance Donovan’s well-known hand, bearing, to my surprise, an American stamp and postmarked New Orleans.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading A PAIR OF EAVESDROPPERS When I came down after dressing for dinner, Bates called my attention to a belated mail.
York
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading DEAR OLD MAN: I have had a merry time since I saw you in New York.