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 Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
apparatus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
articles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
Bristo's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
British
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
camera
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
gun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
hopeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He did not, however, require many lessons.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
instruction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
Laurence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.
lessons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not, however, require many lessons.
luggage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not, however, require many lessons.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
Museum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
occupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
Pinckney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.
plead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
pleaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
realised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
require
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not, however, require many lessons.
rollicking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
sportsman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
suited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
unpacking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
visitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Laurence Pinckney was a hopeless sportsman.
weapon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he realised this for himself he laid down his gun, and presently took up with Miss Bristo's camera as a weapon better suited to him.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Alice had made no use of the apparatus for weeks and weeks; it was sent down with other luggage without her knowledge, and she never thought of unpacking it until Mr. Pinckney pleaded for instruction; when--perhaps because Alice felt that without an occupation this visitor would be on her hands all day--he did not plead in vain.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew something about it already, having given the subject some attention (in the reading room of the British Museum) before writing one of his rollicking articles.
