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 With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
accept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
animal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
anxious
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From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
biped
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From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
boldly
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From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
challenge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
controversy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
declined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
easily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
eligible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
engagement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
feeding-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
four-footed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
imagined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
invitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
lion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
lions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
namesakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
opinions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
plea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
posted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
previously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
prior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
refusal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
resolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
retracted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We at once retracted our plea of a prior engagement, and became as anxious to go, as we had previously been to stay away.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
uphold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In every respect we uphold the biped lions against their four-footed namesakes, and we boldly challenge controversy upon the subject.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We do not remember to have ever seen one of them perfectly awake, except at feeding-time.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading We went early, and posted ourselves in an eligible part of the drawing-room, from whence we could hope to obtain a full view of the interesting animal.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With these opinions it may be easily imagined that our curiosity and interest were very much excited the other day, when a lady of our acquaintance called on us and resolutely declined to accept our refusal of her invitation to an evening party; ‘for,’ said she, ‘I have got a lion coming.’