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 Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
ARABELLA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRIM ARABELLA CRANE.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
attended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
chiefly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
children
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
Clapham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
comforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
CRANE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRIM ARABELLA CRANE.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
deemed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
dictate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
diligently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
earliest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
edifice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
eldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm no judge of flowers," quoth Mr. Fossett, meekly.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
foreman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
Fossett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
gardens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
glass-houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
GRIM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GRIM ARABELLA CRANE.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
heaviest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm no judge of flowers," quoth Mr. Fossett, meekly.
improved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
intermeddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
judge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm no judge of flowers," quoth Mr. Fossett, meekly.
lawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
liked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
lodge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
meekly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm no judge of flowers," quoth Mr. Fossett, meekly.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm no judge of flowers," quoth Mr. Fossett, meekly.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
named
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
notable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
partner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
pines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
pretence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
principles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
quoth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm no judge of flowers," quoth Mr. Fossett, meekly.
range
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
respected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
safe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
showy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
strawberries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
suffered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
technically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
villa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
viz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was much respected, deemed a warm man, and a safe--attended diligently to his business--suffered no partner, no foreman, to dictate or intermeddle --liked his comforts, but made no pretence to fashion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His villa was at Clapham, not a showy but a solid edifice, with lodge, lawn, and gardens chiefly notable for what is technically called glass--viz. a range of glass-houses on the most improved principles, the heaviest pines, the earliest strawberries.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
widower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once on a time there lived a merchant named Fossett, a widower with three children, of whom a daughter, Arabella, was by some years the eldest.
