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 I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
contemplated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
decide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
detailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
dividednounUS /ˈdivided/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
eagerness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
establish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
examination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
experiments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
guided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
inhabited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
inquiry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
Misses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
occupy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
Packard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
prey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
proceed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
Quinlan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
recovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
resolved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
secrets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I could not decide, so I resolved to be guided by circumstances.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
theory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I seemed bound to be the prey of a divided duty.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
wait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If Mrs. Packard were still out, I did not think I could sit down till I had a complete plan of the house as a start in the inquiry which interested me most.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As I crossed the street, I asked myself which of the two experiments I had in mind should occupy my attention first.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Should I proceed at once with that close study and detailed examination of the house, which I contemplated in my eagerness to establish my theory of a secret passage between it and the one now inhabited by the Misses Quinlan, or should I wait to do this until I had recovered the box, which might hold still greater secrets?
