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 A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
all
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From this reading The door is opened to all who knock.
allow
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
ambuscade
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From this reading Four or five men are placed in ambuscade in the first room.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
any
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From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
applied
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
arrest
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From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
arrested
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From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
CENTURY
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From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
crime
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From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
date
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From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
days
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From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
de
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
door
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From this reading The door is opened to all who knock.
explain
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
familiar
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
fifteen
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
five
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From this reading Four or five men are placed in ambuscade in the first room.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
forming
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From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
Four
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From this reading Four or five men are placed in ambuscade in the first room.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
individual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
invented
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From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
invention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
Jerusalem
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
kind
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From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
knock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door is opened to all who knock.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Four or five men are placed in ambuscade in the first room.
MOUSETRAPnounUS /ˈmaʊstræp/
a trap for catching mice
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
mousetraps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door is opened to all who knock.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Four or five men are placed in ambuscade in the first room.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
perhaps
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Four or five men are placed in ambuscade in the first room.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
readers
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Four or five men are placed in ambuscade in the first room.
Rue
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
SEVENTEENTH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
slang
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From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
societies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
suspected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MOUSETRAP IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY The invention of the mousetrap does not date from our days; as soon as societies, in forming, had invented any kind of police, that police invented mousetraps.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When in a house, of whatever kind it may be, an individual suspected of any crime is arrested, the arrest is held secret.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The door is opened to all who knock.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As perhaps our readers are not familiar with the slang of the Rue de Jerusalem, and as it is fifteen years since we applied this word for the first time to this thing, allow us to explain to them what is a mousetrap.