Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
act
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From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
actual
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From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SAMSON AND DELILAH.
anxious
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From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
any
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From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
behoved
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From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
Brisket
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From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
Brown
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From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
called
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From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
case
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From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
commercial
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From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
DELILAH
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From this reading SAMSON AND DELILAH.
doubts
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From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
emergency
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From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
facts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
grievousadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːvəs/
very serious and causing great pain or suffering
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
hinted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
Johnson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
London
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From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
Manchester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
market
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
perplexed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
pigs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
reference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
SAMSON
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAMSON AND DELILAH.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
shilly-shallying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
signify
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
suit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was called upon to act in a case of great emergency, and was by no means sure that he saw his way.
wedding-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was Mr. William Brisket, whose mind at this time was perplexed by grievous doubts.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the commercial world of London there was one man who was really anxious to know what were the actual facts of the case with reference to Johnson of Manchester.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It had been hinted to him by Miss Brown, on the one side, that it behoved her to look to herself, and take her pigs to market without any more shilly-shallying,--by which expression the fair girl had intended to signify that it would suit her now to name her wedding-day.
