Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
appointment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had she been unkind?
arch
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From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
assail
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From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
banter
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From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Dear me, what could it be?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had she been unkind?
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
benefit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dear me, what could it be?
Dear
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From this reading Dear me, what could it be?
disinclined
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From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Who could he have met during his evening ramble to make him look so grave?
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who could he have met during his evening ramble to make him look so grave?
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had she been unkind?
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
food
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who could he have met during his evening ramble to make him look so grave?
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had she been unkind?
Hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Who could he have met during his evening ramble to make him look so grave?
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had she been unkind?
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
Ilfracombe
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From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dear me, what could it be?
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had she been unkind?
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
list
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Who could he have met during his evening ramble to make him look so grave?
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
lordship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Who could he have met during his evening ramble to make him look so grave?
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dear me, what could it be?
melancholy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who could he have met during his evening ramble to make him look so grave?
occasions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had she been unkind?
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
pleasantries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
rally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
ramble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who could he have met during his evening ramble to make him look so grave?
recounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
sex
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had she been unkind?
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
thoughtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
unkind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had she failed to keep her appointment, or had she been unkind?
Usk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Dear me, what could it be?
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Lord Ilfracombe walked into the lighted drawing-room of Usk Hall he looked so pale and thoughtful that the ladies began to rally him at once on his supposed melancholy.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Who could he have met during his evening ramble to make him look so grave?
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
witty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole list of little pleasantries with which the fair sex assail men on such occasions, with the idea of being arch and witty, was recounted for his lordship’s benefit; but he looked very disinclined to supply food for their banter.
