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 It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
Basil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
Basil's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
BetweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
bond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
career
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
Certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
churchyard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
conducted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
congenial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was profoundly grateful; he had now a happy home, he had congenial work to do.
dared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
despond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
devious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was profoundly grateful; he had now a happy home, he had congenial work to do.
Edith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
employer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
firmly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
forged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
goal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
grateful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was profoundly grateful; he had now a happy home, he had congenial work to do.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was profoundly grateful; he had now a happy home, he had congenial work to do.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
height
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was profoundly grateful; he had now a happy home, he had congenial work to do.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
inestimable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
lifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
links
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
loving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was profoundly grateful; he had now a happy home, he had congenial work to do.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
otherwise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
paths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
profoundly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was profoundly grateful; he had now a happy home, he had congenial work to do.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
results
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
sever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
slough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
sunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Certainly neither Basil nor his employer had reason to be otherwise.
value
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sweet and human bond was of inestimable value to Basil; it raised him from the slough of despond into which he had sunk; the hand of a little child lifted him to a man's height.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Between him and Edith loving links were soon firmly forged which time was never to sever.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was profoundly grateful; he had now a happy home, he had congenial work to do.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It led to important results in Basil's career, and in years to come he often thought of the child, the chance meeting with whom in the churchyard conducted him, by both straight and devious paths, to a goal which he had not dared to hope he would ever reach.
