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 had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
adversary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
agreeably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
anniversary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
astounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
BARON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
Bickerdike's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
capacity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
caravansary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
cheerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
chess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
coffee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
conflicts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
dedicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
diversion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
duel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
eke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
famous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
flavour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
forgather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
gainfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
game
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
Gargantua
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
glory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
gravity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
haunt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
idler's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
informal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
issue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
join
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
liqueur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
lunching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
ManuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
meditative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
MEETING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
mental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
mixedverbUS /mɪkst/
involved with or connected to
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
oneself
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
overlooking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
people's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
play
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From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
postprandial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
prefers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
problems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
professors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
profit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
purposes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
SECOND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
Simpson's
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From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
smoking-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
sociability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
somewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
spend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
Strand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
takes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
therein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
tobacconounUS /ˈtobacco/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been lunching at Simpson’s in the Strand, and, my meal finished, had gone up into the smoking-room for a coffee and liqueur.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
whirl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There one may watch astounding mental conflicts which leave one’s brain in a whirl; or, if one prefers it, may oneself join issue in a duel, whether for glory or profit; or, better still, like Gargantua, having a friend for adversary, for the mere serious diversion of the game, and for its capacity for giving a rare meditative flavour to one’s tobacco.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading This is a famous corner of a famous caravansary, being dedicate, like no other smoking-room I know, to the service of the most ancient and most royal game of chess, many of whose leading professors forgather therein, as it were, in an informal club, for the mixed purposes of sociability and play.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room, too, for such a haunt of gravity, is a cheerful room, with its large window overlooking the Strand, and one may spend a postprandial hour there very agreeably, and eke very gainfully if one takes an idler’s interest in other people’s problems.
WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading MY SECOND MEETING WITH THE BARON (_From Mr. Bickerdike’s Manuscript_) It might have been somewhere near the anniversary of my first meeting with the Baron when I came upon him again--in London this time.
