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 He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Judge Hildreth sat in his library, alone.
altar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No sound broke the stillness.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
catch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
Choral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
conveyance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
expediency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
Festival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
God
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
granted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
Hildreth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judge Hildreth sat in his library, alone.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
hired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Judge Hildreth sat in his library, alone.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
honor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Judge Hildreth sat in his library, alone.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
Judge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judge Hildreth sat in his library, alone.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judge Hildreth sat in his library, alone.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
Marlborough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No sound broke the stillness.
oblivion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
ostensibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
prayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
principle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
reeling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
sacrifice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judge Hildreth sat in his library, alone.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No sound broke the stillness.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
stillness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No sound broke the stillness.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
thief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
twin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
undisturbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
victims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When we sacrifice principle upon the altar of expediency, truth and honor, like twin victims, stand bound at its foot.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to be undisturbed, to have time to think, and God granted his wish, until his reeling brain prayed for oblivion!
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
York
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had left home immediately after dinner, ostensibly to catch the evening train for New York, and had sent the carriage back from the station to take his family to the Choral Festival which was the event of the year in Marlborough, and then returning in a hired conveyance, had let himself into his house like a thief.
