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 But there was a difficulty, a hitch.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
Arthur's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
authority
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was a difficulty, a hitch.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
concerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
declared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
described
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was a difficulty, a hitch.
emotions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
ENTRENCHMENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
Etheringham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
excellent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
farce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
foreign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
Friday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
Halliday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.
Hilsey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
hitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was a difficulty, a hitch.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
invaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
isolated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
Langley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
LASTnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.
optimism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
praise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
problems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
producer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
prospects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
remote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
seclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
self-contained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
strengthen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
strengthening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was a difficulty, a hitch.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
treated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first he opened was from Joe Halliday and treated of the farce.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE LAST ENTRENCHMENT On that Friday morning Arthur's seclusion--for thus his stay at Hilsey might be described, so remote it seemed from the rest of his life, so isolated and self-contained--was invaded by the arrival of two letters concerned with matters foreign to Hilsey and its problems or emotions.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The producer, Mr. Langley Etheringham, a man of authority in his line, declared that the last act needed strengthening, and that he knew what would strengthen it.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe wrote with his usual optimism; prospects were excellent; the company which had been engaged was beyond praise.