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 Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
agent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
aid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
Apfel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
Apfel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
bakery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
British
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
color
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
Comrade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
contribute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
defense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
denounce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
directing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
domination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
dough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
extreme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
fellow-sleuths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
fund
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
German
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
Germans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
induced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
Kaiser's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
kneaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
lending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
local
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
McGivney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
money
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
offered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
Pacifist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
pasty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
patriots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
Peter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
rare and worth a great deal
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
radical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
rat-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
send
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
Socialists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/
a person, without saying who
From this reading McGivney said he would send somebody to Apfel at once, and give him the name of the Kaiser’s agent as one who might be induced to contribute to the radical defense fund.
suspicions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
temporary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Apfel would, of course, have no idea that the man was a German agent; he would go to see him, and ask him for money, and McGivney and his fellow-sleuths would do the rest.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
tinge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter said that was fine, and offered to go to Apfel himself; but the rat-faced man answered no, Peter was too precious, and no chance must be taken of directing Apfel’s suspicions against him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Peter thought of Comrade Apfel, who was one of the extreme Socialists, and a temporary Pacifist like most Germans.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Apfel worked in a bakery, and his face was as pasty as the dough he kneaded, but it would show a tinge of color when he rose in the local to denounce the “social patriots,” those party members who were lending their aid to British plans for world domination.
