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 "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
Alwyn
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From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
Alwyn's
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From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
atheist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
canticle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
clew
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From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
countenance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
DEPARTURE
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From this reading DEPARTURE.
difficult
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From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
Dimittis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
equallynounUS /ˈequally/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
half-smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
Heliobas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
inasmuch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
interruptednounUS /ˈinterrupted/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
NOSTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
Nunc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
PATER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
poet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
prayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
sought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
steadfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
unmeaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Heliobas was silent--he seemed engaged in deep and anxious thought,--and he kept his steadfast eyes fixed on Alwyn's countenance, as though he sought there the clew to some difficult problem.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
WEREauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "You might as well say PATER NOSTER,--both canticle and prayer would be equally unmeaning to you!
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For poet as you are,--or let me say as you WERE,--inasmuch as no atheist was ever a poet at the same time--" "You are wrong," interrupted Alwyn quickly.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What do you know of the Nunc Dimittis?" he asked at last, with a half-smile.