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 Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
actually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Were they actually fighting when you got wind of it?"
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
AnybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading "Anybody could have heard them."
arrest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
assistants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
cadet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
cadets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
captured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
Clinton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
commandant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "Anybody could have heard them."
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
duel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
earnest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, sir," was the earnest reply.
energetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
fighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Were they actually fighting when you got wind of it?"
Fort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Were they actually fighting when you got wind of it?"
grimly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The veteran listened grimly a moment and then said:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
hastily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Anybody could have heard them."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Anybody could have heard them."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Were they actually fighting when you got wind of it?"
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
level-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The veteran listened grimly a moment and then said:
managed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The veteran listened grimly a moment and then said:
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
participants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
PointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
principals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, sir," was the earnest reply.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The veteran listened grimly a moment and then said:
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
seconds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, sir," was the earnest reply.
soldier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Anybody could have heard them."
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The veteran listened grimly a moment and then said:
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Were they actually fighting when you got wind of it?"
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
veteran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The veteran listened grimly a moment and then said:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Were they actually fighting when you got wind of it?"
West
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading "Were they actually fighting when you got wind of it?"
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Were they actually fighting when you got wind of it?"
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Yes, sir," was the earnest reply.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Were they actually fighting when you got wind of it?"
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once upon a time a very level-headed old soldier was commandant of cadets at West Point, and one day one of his assistants, an energetic young officer, came hastily in to say that he had just happened upon a cadet duel at Fort Clinton, had captured one of the participants and placed him under arrest, but the principals, seconds and most of those present had managed to escape.
