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 HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
always
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From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
Arthur
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From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
aspirant
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From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
case
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From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
chambers
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From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
devilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
drop
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From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
earnest
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From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
employment
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From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
heart
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From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
Henry
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From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Temple saw little of him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
HOUSEHOLD
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From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
imaginings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
Lisle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Temple saw little of him.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
lust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
More
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From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
Mr
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From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
Norton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
offered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
poison
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From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
POLITICS
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From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
posings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑspərəs/
successful and without serious problems
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
queue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
reported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
romantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Temple saw little of him.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
shoulders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
shrugged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
speculation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
Temple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Temple saw little of him.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
truant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOUSEHOLD POLITICS For the next three months--through the course of the London season, a fine and prosperous one--Arthur Lisle played truant.
veins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Norton Ward shrugged his shoulders and let the thing drop; the first duty of an earnest aspirant in the Temple is to be there--always waiting in the queue for employment.
Ward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The poison of speculation was in his veins, the lust of pleasure in his heart; romantic imaginings and posings filled his thoughts.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading More than once Norton Ward would have offered him some "devilling" to do, or some case to make a note on; but Henry reported that Mr. Lisle was not at chambers.
