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 We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
achieved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
afflatus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
apparently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
artists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
bid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
cabinet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
charming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
cigar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
discussion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
divine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
fame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
fellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
finishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
frequency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
H
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
handed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
host
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
masterpiece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
masters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
mediocrity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
meditative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
obscurity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
paint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
painter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
perfection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
phenomenon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
poets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
relapsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know how common a case it is," he said at last, "but I have seen it.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
spasmodic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have known a poor fellow who painted his one masterpiece, and"--he added with a smile--"he didn't even paint that.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading We had been talking about the masters who had achieved but a single masterpiece--the artists and poets who but once in their lives had known the divine afflatus and touched the high level of perfection.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Our host had been showing us a charming little cabinet picture by a painter whose name we had never heard, and who, after this single spasmodic bid for fame, had apparently relapsed into obscurity and mediocrity.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was some discussion as to the frequency of this phenomenon; during which, I observed, H--- sat silent, finishing his cigar with a meditative air, and looking at the picture which was being handed round the table.
