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 He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
acquiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
adventure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
Africa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen this part of Africa change dramatically under his eyes.
African
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
armed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
Basuto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Livingstone’s wake had come rifles, missionaries, and the big game hunter.
British
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
chiefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In Livingstone’s wake had come rifles, missionaries, and the big game hunter.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
dramatically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen this part of Africa change dramatically under his eyes.
empire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen this part of Africa change dramatically under his eyes.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
game
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Livingstone’s wake had come rifles, missionaries, and the big game hunter.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had seen this part of Africa change dramatically under his eyes.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
Highlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had seen this part of Africa change dramatically under his eyes.
hunter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Livingstone’s wake had come rifles, missionaries, and the big game hunter.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
Livingstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
Livingstone's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Livingstone’s wake had come rifles, missionaries, and the big game hunter.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
missionaries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Livingstone’s wake had come rifles, missionaries, and the big game hunter.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
mostly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had seen this part of Africa change dramatically under his eyes.
particularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
porters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
processes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
rifles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Livingstone’s wake had come rifles, missionaries, and the big game hunter.
rule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen this part of Africa change dramatically under his eyes.
Shire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had seen this part of Africa change dramatically under his eyes.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He had seen this part of Africa change dramatically under his eyes.
wake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Livingstone’s wake had come rifles, missionaries, and the big game hunter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was now acquiring a considerable knowledge of things African, and more particularly of those mysterious processes of change and adventure that were presented to the British consciousness in those days as “empire building.”
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The people of the Shire Highlands were now mostly under the rule of chiefs who had come into the country with Livingstone as Basuto porters, and whom he had armed with rifles.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When first he had gone out it was but a dozen years from the death of Livingstone, who had been the first white man in this land.
