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 knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BY THE BINNACLE The owner was at the wheel.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
BINNACLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY THE BINNACLE The owner was at the wheel.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he had not got there at once.
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY THE BINNACLE The owner was at the wheel.
club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
coiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
danced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
dances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
effulgent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
gas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had not got there at once.
gramophones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But he had not got there at once.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he had not got there at once.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
heterogeneous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
intoxicating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
latest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
modernly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
neckties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But he had not got there at once.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had not got there at once.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY THE BINNACLE The owner was at the wheel.
singular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
snake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
syncopation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BY THE BINNACLE The owner was at the wheel.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he had not got there at once.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
tunes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BY THE BINNACLE The owner was at the wheel.
wearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BY THE BINNACLE The owner was at the wheel.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This singular man, who strangely enough was wearing one of his most effulgent and heterogeneous club neckties, had begun by dancing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He danced with all three ladies, one after the other; and he did not merely dance--he danced modernly, he danced the new dances to the new tunes, given off like intoxicating gas from the latest of gramophones.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to hold the arm of a woman above her head, while coiling his own around it in the manner of a snake, and he knew how to make his very body a vast syncopation.
