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 She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mme. Sauvage had had her instructions already.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
apartment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
Cantinet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
convenient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
cook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
fly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
foster-mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
Fraisier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
German
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mme. Sauvage had had her instructions already.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mme. Sauvage had had her instructions already.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
included
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
instructions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mme. Sauvage had had her instructions already.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
kitchen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
La
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
license
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
Mme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mme. Sauvage had had her instructions already.
musicians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
policeman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
Pons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
posted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
Poulain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
reward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
rid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
Sauvage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mme. Sauvage had had her instructions already.
servant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
so-called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
spider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
supervise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
tobacconist's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
toils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
truckle-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As there was a servant’s bedroom and a little kitchen included in the apartment, La Sauvage could sleep on a truckle-bed and cook for the German.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
undertaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
watches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
weave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
web
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Fraisier had found a convenient opportunity of getting rid of his so-called foster-mother, while he posted her as a detective and policeman to supervise Mme. Cantinet.
wire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had undertaken to weave a web of iron wire about the two musicians, and to watch them as a spider watches a fly caught in the toils; and her reward was to be a tobacconist’s license.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Poulain came with the two women just as Pons drew his last breath.
