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 Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
advantage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
Breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
Charles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
comparative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
daresay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
Englishman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
enlivening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
Fanshawe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
ill-conditioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
Irish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
lively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
meal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
newspapers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
NextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
Parliament
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
puts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
saddened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
Scotch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning life began as usual for the saddened household.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “If we were an ill-conditioned people like the Irish now, we might lead Parliament a pretty dance; but as we find it more to our advantage to keep quiet and mind our own business, nobody puts themselves out of the way.”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Breakfast, which had once been so lively a meal, passed over in comparative silence.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Charles, indeed, did what he could to talk to the stranger, making conversation about the news and the newspapers, with a vague hope of enlivening the party.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I daresay, as an Englishman, you don’t know much about Scotch affairs, Mr. Fanshawe,” he said.
