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 He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
chin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
den
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
discreet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
extended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
fists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
Gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
imperturbable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
invitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
Johnny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
Legge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
lion's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
manservant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
obtrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
parable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
Parker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
Peter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny Gray had the letter by the first post.
practice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
problems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
silk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
submitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
tore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
wastepaper-basket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
wear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
whimsical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a whimsical practice of submitting most of his problems, either in parable form or more directly, to his imperturbable manservant.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
wrapped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat in his big arm-chair, his silk dressing-gown wrapped around him, his chin on his fists; and seeing him thus, the discreet Parker did not obtrude upon his thoughts until Johnny, reading the letter again, tore it in pieces and threw it into the wastepaper-basket.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter wrote to tell of the invitation which Legge had extended to him.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Parker, if you were asked to take dinner in a lion’s den, what dress would you wear?”
