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 KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
afforded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
bargain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
checkmate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
cost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
De
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
Diane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
downcast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
FAVOURITE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
Finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
following
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
forms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
fourthnounUS /fourth/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
gardens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
inform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
ivy-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
KING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
listlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
Louvre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
masquerade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
Mouchy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
outwork
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
overcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
pacing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
palace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
plotters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
Queen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
round-tower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
secluded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
Simon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
thanked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had taken an opportunity the chance afforded to inform the Queen of the bargain struck between the favourite, Simon and De Mouchy, and she heard me in a downcast silence.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
victorious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She seemed for the time to be utterly overcome by the victorious progress of Diane.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There upon the afternoon of the fourth day following the masquerade I found myself in the shadow of a high, ivy-covered wall, slowly pacing towards the round-tower that forms the western outwork of the palace.
WhereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading THE KING AND THE FAVOURITE Where the gardens of the Louvre touch upon the river is a lonely and secluded walk.
withdrew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally she thanked me listlessly, and I withdrew, determined, however, if even at the cost of my life, to checkmate the plotters.