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 IN THE NET OF A SIREN.
adequate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
announcement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
anywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
Carter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter paused just inside the doorway.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
Countess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
defied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
description
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/
A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
doorway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter paused just inside the doorway.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
duplicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
formal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
function
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
hostess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE NET OF A SIREN.
informed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter paused just inside the doorway.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
Juno
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter paused just inside the doorway.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
Narnine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
NET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE NET OF A SIREN.
Nick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter paused just inside the doorway.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE NET OF A SIREN.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter paused just inside the doorway.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
presided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
proper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
resplendent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
rumor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
SIREN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE NET OF A SIREN.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
sought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE NET OF A SIREN.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
vocabularies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
Washington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
wear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For the scene upon which the detective looked was that of a formal function at the home of Countess Juno Narnine and the countess herself defied vocabularies, when an adequate description of her was sought.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The detective had thought it best to wear no disguise at all; to appear there in his own proper person; to come upon the hostess suddenly and without announcement, and so to surprise her, if that were possible, although he had not a doubt that she had been informed of his presence in the city.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scene before him was a resplendent one, and not to be duplicated in the city of Washington, so rumor had said; certainly, the hostess who presided over it all was not to be duplicated anywhere else in the world.
