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 Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
acting
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From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
African
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
ague
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From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
appellation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
Ashantee
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From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
bachelor
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From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
barbaric
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From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
boys
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From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
called
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From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
campaign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
changed
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From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
contracted
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From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
converted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
downfall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
estate
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From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
expedition
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From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
Formerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
gifts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
gratitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
honor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
Hurstleigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
irony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
Jen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
King
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
kingdom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
Koffee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
Laurence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
leaving
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From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
major
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
medal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
minnow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
owners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
participated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
presumed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
proprietor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
purchased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
ruined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
Sarbylands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
squire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
Surrey
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From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
theory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
tormented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
Triton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
unwisely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading On leaving the service, he decided--not unwisely--that it was better to be a Triton in the country than a minnow in town; and acting upon this theory he purchased "Ashantee" from a ruined squire.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Laurence Jen was a retired major, a bachelor, and the proprietor of a small estate at Hurstleigh, in Surrey.
West
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Formerly the place had been called Sarbylands, after its original owners; but Jen had changed the name, in honor of the one campaign in which he had participated.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
wound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been present at the downfall of King Koffee; he had contracted during the expedition an ague which tormented him greatly during his later life, and he had received a wound and a medal.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In gratitude, it is to be presumed, for these gifts of fortune, the major, with some irony, had converted the name Sarbylands into the barbaric appellation of a West African kingdom; and here, for many years, he lived with his two boys.
