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 Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
ass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
bet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I bet you could have knocked Tobe over with a straw!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
came
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From this reading “Gee!” exclaimed Hartung when he came in with the letter.
coldly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
congratulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “I bet you could have knocked Tobe over with a straw!
desk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
devil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
dramatic
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From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
editor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
exclaimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Gee!” exclaimed Hartung when he came in with the letter.
explaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
favor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
Gee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Gee!” exclaimed Hartung when he came in with the letter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
Hartung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
introduction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
knocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I bet you could have knocked Tobe over with a straw!
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
local
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
managers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
McCullagh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
Mitchell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “I bet you could have knocked Tobe over with a straw!
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
straw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I bet you could have knocked Tobe over with a straw!
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
Tobe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I bet you could have knocked Tobe over with a straw!
UPONprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading UPON my explaining to Mitchell what had happened he looked at me coldly, as much as to say “What the devil is this now that this ass is telling me?”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading “Gee!” exclaimed Hartung when he came in with the letter.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading An hour later this was laid on my desk by Hartung, who congratulated me, and there I was: dramatic editor.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Gee!” exclaimed Hartung when he came in with the letter.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
wry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, thinking, I suppose, that I must have some secret hold on Mr. McCullagh or at least stand high in his favor, he gave me a very wry smile and said he would have made out for me a letter of introduction to the local managers.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I bet you could have knocked Tobe over with a straw!
