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 A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
abstainer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
alcoholic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
bad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
bayberries
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From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
blow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
brandynounUS /ˈbrændi/
a strong alcoholic drink distilled from wine
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
Chartreuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
chasse-cafe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
coffee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
coffee-chaser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
commonly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
drinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
establishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
ferns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
fluids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
guest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
knock-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
looks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
Maraschino
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
Most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
neat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
nose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
petit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
readers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
remark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
rum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
serving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
signify
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
teetotalism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
temperance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A guest of the establishment is sitting at his little table.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
thimbleful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
tumbler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
tweaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
unmixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
verre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
virtuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
waiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This drinking of brandy, “neat,” I may remark by the way, is not quite so bad as it looks.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
Whiskey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whiskey or rum taken unmixed from a tumbler is a knock-down blow to temperance, but the little thimbleful of brandy, or Chartreuse, or Maraschino, is only, as it were, tweaking the nose of teetotalism.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He has just had his coffee, and the waiter is serving him with his petit verre.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
