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 For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
Brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, Brown, would offer him the power.
Brown's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
cautious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
chap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
cheating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
clever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
conduct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
confoundedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
diplomacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
fooling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
gain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
hesitate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No man could hesitate.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He, Brown, would offer him the power.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
imposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
Kassim's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
natives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No man could hesitate.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, Brown, would offer him the power.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He, Brown, would offer him the power.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
refusing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
risky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
single-handed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
stroke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading ‘Brown’s object was to gain time by fooling with Kassim’s diplomacy.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For doing a real stroke of business he could not help thinking the white man was the person to work with.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He could not imagine such a chap (who must be confoundedly clever after all to get hold of the natives like that) refusing a help that would do away with the necessity for slow, cautious, risky cheating, that imposed itself as the only possible line of conduct for a single-handed man.