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 The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
Band
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
Barrie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
bold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
Cases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
character
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
Construction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
Curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
devoted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
drama
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
dramatization
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
energetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
Films
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
flesh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
frequent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
game
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
Happenings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
HOLMES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
intensified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
interrupt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
lease
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
Letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
Methods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
narrative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
notorious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
Parody
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
Personal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
Problems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
readers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
Rodney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
ruin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
sensational
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
SHERLOCK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
SIDELIGHTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
Speckled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
spells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
Stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
Strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SIDELIGHTS ON SHERLOCK HOLMES “The Speckled Band”--Barrie’s Parody on Holmes--Holmes on the Films--Methods of Construction--Problems--Curious Letters--Some Personal Cases--Strange Happenings.
theatre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The impression that Holmes was a real person of flesh and blood may have been intensified by his frequent appearance upon the stage.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I may as well interrupt my narrative here in order to say what may interest my readers about my most notorious character.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I saw the course that things were taking I shut myself up and devoted my whole mind to making a sensational Sherlock Holmes drama.
withdrawal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the withdrawal of my dramatization of “Rodney Stone” from a theatre upon which I held a six months’ lease, I determined to play a bold and energetic game, for an empty theatre spells ruin.
