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 RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
CLOUDS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
contributed
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From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
conversation
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From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
Couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
depreciatory
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From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
explained
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From this reading He explained to Lane a few of its marvels.
few
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From this reading He explained to Lane a few of its marvels.
financier
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From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scotland Yard says impossible.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
invention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
invulnerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
Lane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to Lane a few of its marvels.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
makers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
marvels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He explained to Lane a few of its marvels.
mechanism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
Morrice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
nettled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
perfecting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
quietly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
reference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
retorted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
RIFT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
safe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
says
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From this reading Scotland Yard says impossible.
Scotland
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From this reading Scotland Yard says impossible.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
subsequent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
suggestions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
whorls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS Could there be two men the whorls of whose fingers were the same?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Once know the secret of its mechanism, and the rest is easy,” retorted Morrice, a little nettled at this depreciatory reference to the wonderful invention, to the perfecting of which he had contributed not a little himself with his own ingenious suggestions.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
Yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scotland Yard says impossible.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I do not question that this is a very wonderful safe, Mr. Morrice,” the detective remarked quietly to the financier in a subsequent conversation, “but it is evidently not as invulnerable as you and the makers thought it.”
