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 selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
Abbey
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From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
abbot
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From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
abode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
air
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From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
any
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From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Do you think you are going to be a martyr?” said the abbot.
Becket
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From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
begged
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From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
brethren
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
castle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
cause
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From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
choosenounUS /choose/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
clothes
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From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
Columba
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From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
convent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
depart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
distressedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɛst/
suffering from pain, danger, or serious difficulty
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
dominions
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From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
dreamtverbUS /drɛmt/
Experienced dreams during sleep.
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
feeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
fellow-exiles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
France
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Do you think you are going to be a martyr?” said the abbot.
guest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
invitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
King
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
lilies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
martyr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Do you think you are going to be a martyr?” said the abbot.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
monks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
numbered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
Pontigny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
provide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
selected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
Sens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Do you think you are going to be a martyr?” said the abbot.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I feel that my days are numbered,” said Becket; “I dreamt, last night, that I was put to death.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The poor monks were much distressed, and laid the letter before their guest, who could, of course, do no other than depart.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “He who feeds the birds of the air, and clothes the lilies of the field, will provide for me and my fellow-exiles,” said he; and he soon after received an invitation from the King of France to choose any castle or convent in his dominions for his abode.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He selected the Abbey of St. Columba, a little beyond the walls of Sens, and took leave of the brethren at Pontigny, with such a burst of tears that the abbot remarked them with surprise, and begged to know their cause.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Do you think you are going to be a martyr?” said the abbot.
