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 gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
belated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
belonging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
branch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
citizen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
Close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
electrified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
flew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
ghastly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
gory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
holiday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
Muff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
murdered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
noon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
Potter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
schoolmaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
sneaked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/
a person, without saying who
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A gory knife had been found close to the murdered man, and it had been recognized by somebody as belonging to Muff Potter—so the story ran.
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
suspicious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
telegraph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
telegraphic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
un-dreamed-of
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
washing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And it was said that a belated citizen had come upon Potter washing himself in the “branch” about one or two o’clock in the morning, and that Potter had at once sneaked off—suspicious circumstances, especially the washing which was not a habit with Potter.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Close upon the hour of noon the whole village was suddenly electrified with the ghastly news.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Of course the schoolmaster gave holiday for that afternoon; the town would have thought strangely of him if he had not.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading No need of the as yet un-dreamed-of telegraph; the tale flew from man to man, from group to group, from house to house, with little less than telegraphic speed.
