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 This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.
agreeable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.
Alaric's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
announcement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.
aspired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.
Board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
Civil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
clerk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
devoted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
energy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
Examination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
fiddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
Gregory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
Hardlines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
honours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
intentions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
Jobbles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.
NOTadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
ORconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
parliamentary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
powersnounUS /powers/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
rate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
Service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
STAND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
Strathbogy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
succeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To have kept Mr. Jobbles would have been better than this; he, at any rate, would not have aspired to parliamentary honours.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TO STAND, OR NOT TO STAND Sir Gregory Hardlines had been somewhat startled by Alaric's announcement of his parliamentary intentions.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
Tudor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
unnaturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was a view of the matter which was by no means agreeable to Sir Gregory.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It not unnaturally occurred to that great man that should Mr. Tudor succeed at Strathbogy, and should he also succeed in being allowed to hold his office and seat together, he, Tudor, would very soon become first fiddle at the Civil Service Examination Board.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for this had he devoted his time, his energy, and the best powers of his mind to the office of which he was at present the chief; not for this had he taken by the hand a young clerk, and brought him forward, and pushed him up, and seated him in high places.
