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 It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
alpaca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
authority
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From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
big
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From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
black
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From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
bowl
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From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
chestnut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
close
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From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
considerately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
deliberation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
dusk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
faithfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
fifteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
flower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
lasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
lighten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
map
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
meerschaum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
Murchison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
Murchisons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
overstamped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
Place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
Plummer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
Plummers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
prescribed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
shirt-sleeves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading John was no longer in his shirt-sleeves; the growing authority of his family had long prescribed a black alpaca coat.
smoked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
town's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
verandah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They sat talking on the verandah in the close of the May evening, Mr and Mrs Murchison.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Plummer Place was the Murchison Place in the town’s mouth now, and that was only fair; the Murchisons had overstamped the Plummers.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He smoked his meerschaum with the same old deliberation, however, holding it by the bowl as considerately as he held its original, which lasted him fifteen years.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It lay about them like a map of their lives: the big horse chestnut stood again in flower to lighten the spring dusk for them, as it had done faithfully for thirty years.
