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 Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
add
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One thing, however, I will add.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
cause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
charge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
choosenounUS /choose/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
clergyman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
confided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
desiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
entrusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
extraordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
facts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading One thing, however, I will add.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
inward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
lawyer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
messenger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
Nicholls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
pastor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
Pollard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
proceeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
sacred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
safe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
secrets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
sons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
suspicion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
suspicions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not tell you my suspicions if I had any; I can only state the facts.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One thing, however, I will add.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you know the cause of this rather extraordinary proceeding, or have you any suspicion why, in the event of his desiring me to have in charge a paper which ought to be safe enough in his own house, he choose his pastor for his messenger instead of one of his own sons?"
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Mr. Nicholls," I returned, with inward satisfaction for the opportunity thus given me for reply, "the secrets which are confided to a clergyman are as sacred as those which are entrusted to a lawyer.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You say Mr. Pollard gave you this will to hand to me.
