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 In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
acknowledged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she had said was quite true, as he now acknowledged.
Alpenny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
amused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
Bracken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
concerned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
confession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
Cuthbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
desired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
drove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
frank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
graspnounUS /ɡræsp/
a firm hold in a specific situation in this story
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
guests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
Hench
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
Home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
Muses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she had said was quite true, as he now acknowledged.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
Owain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
paying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What she had said was quite true, as he now acknowledged.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
reasonsnounUS /ˈreasons/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
render
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she had said was quite true, as he now acknowledged.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What she had said was quite true, as he now acknowledged.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
Spruce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
surveying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
taxi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What she had said was quite true, as he now acknowledged.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was for two reasons that Hench left The Home of the Muses and vanished--so far as the paying guests were concerned--into the unknown.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwɛstwərd/
toward the west
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What she had said was quite true, as he now acknowledged.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Owain drove westward in the taxi, he amused himself by surveying his position.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading With regard to the girl, Hench was beginning to grasp the fact that he really did not love her, or he would have been more moved by her frank confession of love for Bracken.
Zara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, he wished to render Zara's position more easy; in the second he desired to have nothing more to do with Madame Alpenny; and also there was a third and less important reason, which had to do with Cuthbert Spruce.
