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 From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
academynounUS /əˈkæd.ə.mi/
A place of study or training in a special field of knowledge and arts.
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
agreed
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From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
all
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From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
almost
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From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
arrangement
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From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
B
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From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
best
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From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
Castle
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From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
certain
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
chance
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
Cliff
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From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
Commodore
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
concocted
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From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
content
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From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
decided
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From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
devoted
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
doubt
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From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
end
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From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
enter
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
equallynounUS /ˈequally/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
examinations
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From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
failure
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
fatal
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From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
given
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
greatly
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From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
helped
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From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
hint
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
ignorance
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
Judge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
knew
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From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
Lucien
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
Mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
mental
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From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
Merrill
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From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
Miller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
Peggy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
plot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
recluse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
severe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
shun
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From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
splendid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
studies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
swimmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
there
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From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From a hint given him by Commodore Lucien, Mark had devoted himself to certain studies, so that there should be no chance of his failure to enter the academy through ignorance.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His mother had helped him greatly, and in her mind there was no doubt of his passing the examinations, both physical and mental, severe though they might be.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As he had told Judge Miller, his mother had decided to remain at Castle Cliff with old Peggy.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had talked it all over, and as, for some reason, Mrs. Merrill wished to shun the world, to live the life almost of a recluse, they had all agreed that it was best for her to remain where she was, and Peggy was equally as content with the arrangement.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When Mark returned from his visit to B----, which, but for his being a splendid swimmer, would have been fatal to him, he did not tell his mother of the plot he knew had been concocted to put an end to his life.
