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 did not ask for a wish; he asked for a prayer.
Alfred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
all
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From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not ask for a wish; he asked for a prayer.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He did not ask for a wish; he asked for a prayer.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
backed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Pray that I may be lucky, my dear."
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
bedside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
City
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Pray that I may be lucky, my dear."
devotional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not ask for a wish; he asked for a prayer.
distinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
DOWNS
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From this reading ON EPSOM DOWNS.
EPSOM
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From this reading ON EPSOM DOWNS.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He did not ask for a wish; he asked for a prayer.
fullest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not ask for a wish; he asked for a prayer.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Pray that I may be lucky, my dear."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
Kingcraft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
knelt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
Lizzie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
lucky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Pray that I may be lucky, my dear."
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Pray that I may be lucky, my dear."
meaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
mental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Pray that I may be lucky, my dear."
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not ask for a wish; he asked for a prayer.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON EPSOM DOWNS.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
Pray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Pray that I may be lucky, my dear."
prayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
prayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not ask for a wish; he asked for a prayer.
praying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
race
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
Suburban
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Pray that I may be lucky, my dear."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
win
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not himself given to praying, but on this night, before he went to bed, he knelt at his bedside for the first time for many, many months, with a distinct devotional purpose, in his mind, and prayed with all his mental power that Kingcraft, the horse he had backed, might win the City and Suburban race on the following day.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not ask for a wish; he asked for a prayer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alfred had spoken these words to Lizzie with fullest meaning.
