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 Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
anxiety
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From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
apparently
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From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
awake
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From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
baker's
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From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
betimes
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From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
Britain's
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From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
business
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From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
Cabinet
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From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
cases
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From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
clouds
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From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
CouncilnounUS /council/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
customs
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From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
discussion
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From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
disturbed-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
doleful-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
Downing
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From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
dozen
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From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
eager
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From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
FirstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
GreatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
innocently
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From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
inquire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
Lord
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From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
manners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
Ministers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
oblong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
perceivable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
Perplexity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
planet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
precincts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
residence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
Seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
signs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
singularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
SovereignadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːv.rən/
Possessing supreme or ultimate power; autonomous and commanding.
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
stir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
Street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Seated around a long oblong table in a singularly doleful-looking room, are a baker’s dozen of gentlemen, apparently in eager discussion.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
Treasury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
unaccustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
unmixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
unwonted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
vacuity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
ways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A stranger dropped from the clouds, and unaccustomed to the ways, and manners, and customs of our planet, might innocently inquire who these disturbed-looking personages are, and what their business?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Perplexity and anxiety is on every face, not unmixed, in some cases, with vacuity.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Downing Street is awake betimes, and within the precincts of the residence of the First Lord of the Treasury an unusual stir and signs of an unwonted anxiety are perceivable.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would be told in reply that the personages are nothing more nor less than the Sovereign of Great Britain’s Ministers, their business, the holding of a Cabinet Council.
