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 SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
beer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
charged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
committed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
defender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
Dory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
drink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
fellow-prisoner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.
honestadjectiveUS /ˈɑnɪst/
truthful and trustworthy
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
IMPORTANT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
indignant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
Mack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
pirate-schooner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
QUESTIONnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
Ripples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
robbery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
SELFISH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you understand it, Mack?" asked Ripples, turning to his fellow-prisoner at his side.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
vessel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dory knew that he had not been with the original party, and had come on board of the vessel since the robbery of the office had been committed.
VIEW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SELFISH VIEW OF AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't think I understand you any better than you understand me," said Dory, when it occurred to him that Ripples might be an honest young man, even if he did drink beer.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Fred Ripples was evidently a wild young man, but he looked indignant enough to be honest when charged with being a defender of the pirate-schooner.
