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 Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Tom Towers, it seems, had known all about it, as he always does.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Towers, it seems, had known all about it, as he always does.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Towers, it seems, had known all about it, as he always does.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GOAT AND COMPASSES.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
borough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
Chaldicotes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
compared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
COMPASSES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOAT AND COMPASSES.
county
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
dissolution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tom Towers, it seems, had known all about it, as he always does.
duke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
GOAT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GOAT AND COMPASSES.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Towers, it seems, had known all about it, as he always does.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
losing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
misfortune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
reflected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
rumour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Towers, it seems, had known all about it, as he always does.
severity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
Smith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
Sowerby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/
to provide what someone needs in order to live
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GOAT AND COMPASSES.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Towers, it seems, had known all about it, as he always does.
Towers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom Towers, it seems, had known all about it, as he always does.
undoubtedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith might or might not lose his borough, but Mr. Sowerby would undoubtedly lose his county; and, in losing that, he would lose everything.
unhappy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He felt very certain now that the duke would not support him again, let who would be master of Chaldicotes; and as he reflected on these things he found it very hard to keep up his spirits.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Harold Smith had been made unhappy by that rumour of a dissolution; but the misfortune to him would be as nothing compared to the severity with which it would fall on Mr. Sowerby.
