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 CASE OF RAPIERS.
all
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
armed
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
came
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From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
CASE
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From this reading A CASE OF RAPIERS.
cavaliers
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From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
centre
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From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔrəs/
a group singing together
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
cloak
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From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
cloaked
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
close
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From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
companion
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
Comte
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
conqueror
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
consequently
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From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
contained
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From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
Conteville
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
d'Amboise
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From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
de
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
destiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
dreaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
duke's
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From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
English
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
gay
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
guard
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From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
Herluin
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
joined
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
less
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From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
lively
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
lose
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From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
losing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
Lower
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From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
Madame
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From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
masked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
Normandy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CASE OF RAPIERS.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
perchance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
Quai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
rapier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
RAPIERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CASE OF RAPIERS.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
robbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
say
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From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
singing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
stouter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
taller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
valuable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
valued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had nothing valuable to lose besides but my life, and, strange to say, I valued it less than my letter.
vigorously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I dreaded being robbed and consequently of perchance losing the duke's letter to Madame d'Amboise--a letter which contained the destiny of my life.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Both were, as I have said, masked, armed, and cloaked; and moreover were taller and, to all appearance, stouter than I. One was singing that gay and lively song in which the people of Lower Normandy still remember the mother of the English conqueror--the wife of Herluin, the Comte de Conteville; and his companion joined vigorously in the gay chorus.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
Wrapped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wrapped in my cloak, I stood with rapier on guard right in the centre of the Quai, while the cavaliers came close up to me.
