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 And his life was, in truth, a broken one.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
bankrupt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
bitterlyadverbUS /ˈbɪtərli/
in a way that shows deep pain or grief
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
cigar
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From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
closing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
club-houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
Continental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
contrived
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From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
desolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
difficulties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
easiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
easy-chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
ending
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From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
eyes
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From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
follies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
Kester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
Meccas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
musing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
net
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
October
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading And his life was, in truth, a broken one.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
PAMPHILI
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
pilgrims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
prospects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
shoals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
smoke-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
surmount
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
temples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
thirty-three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
tilted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the smoke-room of his club, in the easiest of easy-chairs, sat Kester St. George, cigar in mouth, his hat tilted over his eyes, musing bitterly over the hopes, follies, and prospects of his broken life.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his life was, in truth, a broken one.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
VILLA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And his life was, in truth, a broken one.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One way or another he had contrived until now to surmount his difficulties, or, at least, to tide them over for the time being; but, at last, the net seemed to be finally closing around him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading AT THE VILLA PAMPHILI The month of October had half run its course, the Continental Meccas were nearly deserted, the pilgrims were returning in shoals day by day, and the London club-houses were no longer the temples of desolation that they had been for the last two months.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With what fair prospects had he started from port, and now, at thirty-three years of age, to what a bankrupt ending he had come!
