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 His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
accept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
achieve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
army
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
aspirations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
bigger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
blind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
CHANGES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
CHARACTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
competent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
deeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
distinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
fanciful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
Fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
hero
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
heroes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
imagination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
improbable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
independent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
leader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
LIEUTENANT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
Like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
limits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
major-generals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
marvelous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
modesty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
NAMEnounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
oftentimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
perform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
performing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
permitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
pictured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
race
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
reckless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
regions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
routine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
skill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
soaring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
SOMERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
valor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
veins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
worthies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
