Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
accustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
appointment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
boy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
buoyantadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪənt/
able to float or rise easily in water
From this reading He had entered the house buoyant with hope.
cause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
committed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
Counsel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
crime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had entered the house buoyant with hope.
fail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, for the first time, his heart seemed to fail him.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, for the first time, his heart seemed to fail him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now, for the first time, his heart seemed to fail him.
forfeit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
happiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
haunted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, for the first time, his heart seemed to fail him.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now, for the first time, his heart seemed to fail him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had entered the house buoyant with hope.
horrible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had entered the house buoyant with hope.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
Irene's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
lestconjunctionUS /lest/
in order that something should not happen
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
mechanical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
nearest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, for the first time, his heart seemed to fail him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
photograph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
precision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
premonitions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
Queen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
rested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, for the first time, his heart seemed to fail him.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
silk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
stepping-stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
stone-cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That morning he had received the offer of an appointment which was generally held to be the stepping-stone to the silk of the Queen’s Counsel.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, for the first time, his heart seemed to fail him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now, for the first time, his heart seemed to fail him.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hugh put the boy’s photograph with mechanical precision in its accustomed place, then turned away and threw himself into the nearest chair and rested his head on his hand.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was stone-cold with fear, the horrible fear, of which premonitions had haunted him, off and on, during the three years of his great happiness, lest this crime which he had committed should cause him to forfeit Irene’s love.