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 Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
access
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
acting
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From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
admitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
adventures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
advisable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
agent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
allow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
amusing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
ANY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ARE THERE ANY LETTERS FOR HENRY JEANES, PLEASE?”
AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “ARE THERE ANY LETTERS FOR HENRY JEANES, PLEASE?”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
assistant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
barber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
bearing
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From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
befell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
betray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
betting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
bribed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
clients
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
confine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
connection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
correspondence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
describe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
direct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/
A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
enter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
establishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
experiences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “ARE THERE ANY LETTERS FOR HENRY JEANES, PLEASE?”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
HENRY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ARE THERE ANY LETTERS FOR HENRY JEANES, PLEASE?”
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
immediate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
incidents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
JEANES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ARE THERE ANY LETTERS FOR HENRY JEANES, PLEASE?”
LETTERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ARE THERE ANY LETTERS FOR HENRY JEANES, PLEASE?”
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
narrative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
necessitate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
PLEASE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ARE THERE ANY LETTERS FOR HENRY JEANES, PLEASE?”
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
Professor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
Shannon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
spy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
THERE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “ARE THERE ANY LETTERS FOR HENRY JEANES, PLEASE?”
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But in a narrative like the present it is perhaps best that I should confine myself to the incidents and adventures which have direct bearing upon my search for Captain Shannon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading At the same time, I did not think it advisable--at all events for the present--to take him into my confidence by telling him who was the object of my search.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Were it not that they have no immediate connection with my story, I should like to describe here some of the curious and amusing experiences which befell me while I was acting as assistant to a barber and betting agent.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That the Professor would betray me to his clients I did not think at all likely, as to do so would necessitate his admitting to them that he had been bribed to allow a spy, if not a detective, to enter his service under a disguise, and to have access to the correspondence of the establishment.
