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 If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
astounding
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From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
ATLANTA
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From this reading THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA."
Barbicane
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From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
conceived
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From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
electric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
envelope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
existed
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From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
Frenchman
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From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
hesitated
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From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
idiot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
jest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
lunatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
measure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA."
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
PASSENGER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA."
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
projectile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
prudence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
reconsider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
closed and kept secret in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
telegram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This telegram might be a cover for some jest, especially as it came from a Frenchman.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PASSENGER OF THE "ATLANTA."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He would have held his tongue about it, both as a measure of prudence, and in order not to have to reconsider his plans.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
ward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
wires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading What human being would ever have conceived the idea of such a journey? and, if such a person really existed, he must be an idiot, whom one would shut up in a lunatic ward, rather than within the walls of the projectile.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If this astounding news, instead of flying through the electric wires, had simply arrived by post in the ordinary sealed envelope, Barbicane would not have hesitated a moment.
