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 They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
action
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
amountverbUS /əˈmaʊnt/
to reach or total a particular quantity or value
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
ASSISTANT
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From this reading NICK’S ASSISTANT DECAMPS.
assisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
association
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
attempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
build
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
Carter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
charges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
Chick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
DECAMPS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK’S ASSISTANT DECAMPS.
definite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
DoctornounUS /doctor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
evidence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
Follansbee's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
hesitated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
medical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
NICK'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NICK’S ASSISTANT DECAMPS.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
publication
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
refraining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
scandal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
scrape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
stir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
Swithin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
tendencies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
trial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
warrant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chick knew all about Doctor Follansbee’s tendencies, and had assisted his chief in an attempt to scrape up sufficient evidence against the man to warrant some definite action.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To be sure, they could have brought charges against the head of St. Swithin’s, and placed him before the medical association, but there was more than one reason for refraining from that.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For one thing, Carter hesitated to stir up a scandal which would be bound to follow the publication of such charges.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They had failed to build up a case that would amount to anything if brought to trial.
