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 HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
abounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
attracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
blackbirds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
breed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
centre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
cheap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
Cherbourg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
Crime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
deaths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
digue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
dulled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
employment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/
prepared and equipped for a particular purpose
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
fleet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
flowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
freely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
hangers-on
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
ill-lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
ill-paved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
INTOprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
LifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
Low-class
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
mean-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
menace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
MOUTH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
privateering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
quarrellings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
rookery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
smuggling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
spawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/
an old word meaning “to that place”
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
TIGER'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Crime, in fact, attracted little attention so long as it held no menace to the public peace.
toilers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Life had been so very cheap, and blood had flowed so freely, that the public ear had dulled to its cry.
WALKED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
WEpronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading HOW WE WALKED INTO THE TIGER'S MOUTH Cherbourg was at that time a town of mean-looking houses and narrow streets, ill-paved, ill-lighted, a rookery for blackbirds of every breed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was a great centre for smuggling and privateering, the fleet brought many hangers-on, and the building of the great digue drew thither rough toilers who could find, or were fitted for, no other employment.
wine-shops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Low-class wine-shops, and their spawn of quarrellings and sudden deaths, abounded.