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 He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
apprenticeship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
AUNT
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From this reading AUNT ROSINA.
bad
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From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
Battledore
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From this reading There were Tom Shuttlecock and Lord John Battledore at the club.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
bigger
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From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
boiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
bottles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were Tom Shuttlecock and Lord John Battledore at the club.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/
spoken privately and not for general knowledge
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
consolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
cruet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
decanters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
dribblets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
drinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
eating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
eating-houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
encourage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
heroism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
Houston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
indulgence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were Tom Shuttlecock and Lord John Battledore at the club.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
Lord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were Tom Shuttlecock and Lord John Battledore at the club.
luxurious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
mutton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
ROSINA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUNT ROSINA.
Shuttlecock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were Tom Shuttlecock and Lord John Battledore at the club.
slices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
sympathy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were Tom Shuttlecock and Lord John Battledore at the club.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were Tom Shuttlecock and Lord John Battledore at the club.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a hard apprenticeship, and, coming as it did rather late in life for such a beginning, and after much luxurious indulgence, required some sympathy and consolation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were Tom Shuttlecock and Lord John Battledore at the club.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading During this period of heroism it had been necessary to Houston to have some confidential friend to whom from time to time he could speak of his purpose.
wine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He could not go on eating slices of boiled mutton at eating-houses, and drinking dribblets of bad wine out of little decanters no bigger than the bottles in a cruet stand, without having some one to encourage him in his efforts.
