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 Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
a-dying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
bold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
contradiction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
counting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
decreed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
eccentric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
End
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From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
extinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
finest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
four-poster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
fringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
historian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
hopeful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
knows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
lie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
medical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
nurse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
opinion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
Oscard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
paints
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
penned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
prone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
proven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
quietest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
Russell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
shaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
Square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
stately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
tassels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
Thomas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his stately bedroom on the second floor of the quietest house in Russell Square Mr. Thomas Oscard--the eccentric Oscard--lay, perhaps, a-dying.
thousandth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In bold contradiction to the medical opinion, the nurse was, however, hopeful.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
West
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Who knows? the man is proven by the hour.
wiseacres
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our business, however, does not lie in the life of this historian--a life which certain grave wiseacres from the West End had shaken their heads over a few hours before we find him lying prone on a four-poster counting for the thousandth time the number of tassels fringing the roof of it.
writes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thomas Oscard had written the finest history of an extinct people that had ever been penned; and it has been decreed that he who writes a fine history or paints a fine picture can hardly be too eccentric.
