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 STORY OF WALL-STREET.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am a rather elderly man.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
avocations
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From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
Bartleby
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From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
biographies
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From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
contact
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From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
divers
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From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
elderly
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From this reading I am a rather elderly man.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
few
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From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
good-natured
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From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
histories
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From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I am a rather elderly man.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
known
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From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
law-copyists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
man
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From this reading I am a rather elderly man.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STORY OF WALL-STREET.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
passages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
privately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
professionally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
rather
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From this reading I am a rather elderly man.
relate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
scrivener
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
scriveners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
sentimental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
singular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
souls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
STORY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY OF WALL-STREET.
strangest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
waive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
WALL-STREET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STORY OF WALL-STREET.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
weep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I have known very many of them, professionally and privately, and if I pleased, could relate divers histories, at which good-natured gentlemen might smile, and sentimental souls might weep.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading But I waive the biographies of all other scriveners for a few passages in the life of Bartleby, who was a scrivener of the strangest I ever saw or heard of.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading The nature of my avocations for the last thirty years has brought me into more than ordinary contact with what would seem an interesting and somewhat singular set of men, of whom as yet nothing that I know of has ever been written:—I mean the law-copyists or scriveners.
