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 man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
amazing
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From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
apoplecticadjectiveUS /ˌæpəˈplɛktɪk/
caused by or resembling a stroke, with sudden loss of movement or consciousness
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
Attymar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
charge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
chiefs
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From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
cordon
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From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
daylight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
detail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
detectives
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From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
elaborate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
fading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
fifty-thousand-to-one-against
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
genesis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
happen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
inquiries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
materialized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
mistaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
murder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
oddest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
rarely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
Reeder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
River
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
Scotland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/
a person, without saying who
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
suspicion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The inquiries I made showed me that Attymar was never seen in daylight, except by his crew, and then only in the fading light.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
uniform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A man wanted by the police on a charge of murder had walked through a most elaborate cordon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
waterway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
whereforeadverbUS /werˈfɔːr/
an old word meaning “why” or “for that reason”
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
WhilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Whilst Reeder was waiting at Scotland Yard he explained in greater detail the genesis of his suspicion.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
Yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of those amazing things which so rarely happen, that fifty-thousand-to-one-against chance, had materialized, and the high chiefs of Scotland Yard grew apoplectic as they asked the why and the wherefore.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading River police had shut off the waterway; detectives and uniform men had formed a circle through which it was impossible to escape; yet the wanted man had, by the oddest chance, passed between two detectives who had mistaken him for somebody they knew.
