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 Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
armory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
audible
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From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
Audience
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From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
bodyguards
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From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
boss
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From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
buffets
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From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
challenge
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From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
claim
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From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
conducted
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From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
courtiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
cut
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From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
day
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From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
establish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
favor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
fidgeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
fight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
formal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
Gaudy
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From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
gloom
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From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
Gope
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From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
Hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
hangings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
high-vaulted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
legitimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
murmur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
Owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
pointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
purple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
Rath-Gallion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
repay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
rustling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
supplicants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gaudy hangings of purple cut the light of the sun to a rich gloom in the enormous, high-vaulted Audience Hall.
trading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.
uneasy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A rustling murmur was audible in the room as uneasy courtiers and supplicants fidgeted, waiting for the appearance of the Owner.
waylaid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I waylaid the man and cut him down, even in a fair fight, his bodyguards would repay the favor before I could establish the claim that I was their legitimate new boss.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I had spent three hours every day in the armory at Rath-Gallion, trading buffets with Gope and a couple of the bodyguards.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It had been two months since Gope had explained to me how a formal challenge to an Owner was conducted, and, as he pointed out, this was the only kind of challenge that would help.