Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
16
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
bachelor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
chevalier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
cotton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
damask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
discontinuing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
discreetly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
ears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
eel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
green-flowered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
jewel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
mischief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
mode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
occupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
Presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
putting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
razor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
reckoning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
response
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
stairway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
stropping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
Suzanne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
taps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I have come to tell you something which may perhaps give you as much pleasure as pain?”
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
Valois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
Wednesday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What have you come for, my dear little jewel of mischief?”
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Presently three taps were discreetly struck upon the door; then, without waiting for any response, a handsome girl slipped like an eel into the room occupied by the old bachelor.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Ah! is it you, Suzanne?” said the Chevalier de Valois, without discontinuing his occupation, which was that of stropping his razor.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a Wednesday morning, early, toward the middle of spring, in the year 16,--such was his mode of reckoning,--at the moment when the chevalier was putting on his old green-flowered damask dressing-gown, he heard, despite the cotton in his ears, the light step of a young girl who was running up the stairway.