Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
abyss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
alive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
beauty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
coach-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
compare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
Compeyson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
consequence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
engendered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
Estella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
extenuated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
harboured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
helped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
loiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
narrative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
pausenounUS /pɔːz/
a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
pride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
prison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
Provis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
reflected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
rid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
shrinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
smoother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
stain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
traced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
transport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A new fear had been engendered in my mind by his narrative; or rather, his narrative had given form and purpose to the fear that was already there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If Compeyson were alive and should discover his return, I could hardly doubt the consequence.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should I pause to ask how much of my shrinking from Provis might be traced to Estella?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Why should I loiter on my road, to compare the state of mind in which I had tried to rid myself of the stain of the prison before meeting her at the coach-office, with the state of mind in which I now reflected on the abyss between Estella in her pride and beauty, and the returned transport whom I harboured?
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The road would be none the smoother for it, the end would be none the better for it, he would not be helped, nor I extenuated.
