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 A SECRET OF THE SEA.
Alley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
Ambrose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
assented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
Bellamy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
Byrne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
Duren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
Duren's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
Gerald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
mentioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
Murray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
notes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SECRET OF THE SEA.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
progressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
proposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
satisfy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
SEA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SECRET OF THE SEA.
SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading A SECRET OF THE SEA.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
Spur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SECRET OF THE SEA.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gerald assented, and at six o'clock that evening they found themselves at Van Duren's door.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
Van
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one of his brief notes he mentioned that Van Duren had left home on business for a couple of days.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
Warburton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Gerald Warburton happened to be at Miss Bellamy's when this note came to hand, and Murray at once proposed that he and Gerald should visit Byrne and his daughter in Spur Alley, while Van Duren was out of town.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Byrne had been in the habit of writing a line to Ambrose Murray every few days, in order to satisfy the latter as to how matters were progressing at the house in Spur Alley.