Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
3.0
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
agent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
allow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
anonymous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
Attribution-Non-Commercial-No
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
belt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
bio-father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
bio-father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
break
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
by-nc-nd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
Commons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
Creative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
creativecommons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
Derivative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
ex-agent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
excellent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
ferreting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
forearm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
http
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
ideally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
identity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
Imperial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
knives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
Licence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
licenced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
licenses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
More
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
needler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
Nevan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
org
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
owed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
personal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
relaxed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
safeguards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
savednounUS /saved/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
still-active
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
throwing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
trying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
weapons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that his bio-father had died, and had wanted Nevan to give the anonymous agent his personal weapons: two forearm throwing knives, a belt knife, and a needler.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
who'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More, he understood why those safeguards wouldn't be relaxed even to allow an ex-agent to search out a still-active one--but he had what he considered two excellent reasons to do exactly that.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
Works
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +------------------------------------------------------+ | This work is licenced under a Creative Commons | | Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 | | Licence.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It wasn't supposed to be easy--ideally, it would be impossible--and Nevan was sure he owed his own life, perhaps several times over, to the Imperial safeguards he was trying to break.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading | | | | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ | +------------------------------------------------------+ It wouldn't be easy ferreting out the identity of the field agent who'd saved his bio-father's life twelve years ago.
