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 "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
alms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
ALMS-GIVING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
anticipation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
associated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
blind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
cape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
charity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
coats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
contained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
difficult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
disappointments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
earthly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
Eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
forego
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
lot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
OfprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
parapet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
parcel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
penny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
recognised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
searched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
tarpaulin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The blind man opened a parcel and I saw that it contained a small tarpaulin cape.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "ALMS-GIVING" As I searched for a penny it began to rain.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Eight or nine hours a day waiting for alms is his earthly lot," I said, and walking towards the river, and leaning on the parapet, I wondered if he recognised the passing step--if he recognised my step--and associated them with a penny?
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the several coats I wore made it difficult to find my change; I thought I had better forego my charity that day, and I walked away.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Of what use that he should know the different steps? if he knew them there would be anticipation and disappointments.
