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 It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
anywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And yet the honour of Willoughby was at stake, and no squeamishness ought to interfere with that.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
blowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
boat-race
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
bringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
criminal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
expulsion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet the honour of Willoughby was at stake, and no squeamishness ought to interfere with that.
hour's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
interfere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet the honour of Willoughby was at stake, and no squeamishness ought to interfere with that.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
justice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
responsibility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
Riddell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
spell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
squeamishness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet the honour of Willoughby was at stake, and no squeamishness ought to interfere with that.
stake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet the honour of Willoughby was at stake, and no squeamishness ought to interfere with that.
starting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
SupposingverbUS /səˈpoʊzɪŋ/
assuming something is true for the purpose of discussion
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Supposing that letter did mean something, how ought he to act?
topic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
untrue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was no pleasant responsibility to have thrown on his shoulders the duty of bringing a criminal to justice, and possibly of being the means of his expulsion.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
Willoughby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet the honour of Willoughby was at stake, and no squeamishness ought to interfere with that.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading And yet the honour of Willoughby was at stake, and no squeamishness ought to interfere with that.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
wretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wished, true or untrue, that the wretched letter had been left anywhere but in his study.
Wyndham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet the honour of Willoughby was at stake, and no squeamishness ought to interfere with that.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say," said young Wyndham, after about an hour's spell of work, and strangely enough starting the very topic with which Riddell's mind was full--"I say, I think that boat-race business is blowing over, do you know?
