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 To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
absorbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
action
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
alternately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For that matter, he was always first.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
astonishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
ate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
dining-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
Drew's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
eat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
expedition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
finish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
food
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For that matter, he was always first.
fork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For that matter, he was always first.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
industry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
Jansen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
lowering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
marvellous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For that matter, he was always first.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
mechanical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
plate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
shapeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
SHOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
spurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
Swede
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For that matter, he was always first.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
To-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
tremendous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To-night, spurred on by a desire to pass through this mechanical effort and be prepared for the coming action, his speed was something truly marvellous.
unfaltering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SHOW Jansen, the big Swede, was the first to finish his meal in Drew's dining-room.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did not appear to eat; the food simply vanished from the plate; it was absorbed like a mist before the wind.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He ate with astonishing expedition, lowering his head till that tremendous, shapeless mouth was close to the plate and then working knife and fork alternately with an unfaltering industry.