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 It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
Abbey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
accepted
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From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
closely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
conditional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
consent
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From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
costume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
dining-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
disparity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
fancied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
fashionable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
features
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
Fellowship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
Gainsborough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
handed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
hangs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
historic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
Joshua
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
lover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
member
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
miniature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
obtaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
opposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
passport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
personage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
portrait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
positions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
Royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
Society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
succeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
Thomas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was strange indeed to hear a living man speak of himself as the former lover of this, to me, historic personage.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
uncle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
union
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Sir Thomas, however," he went on, "was much opposed to our union, on the ground of some real or fancied social disparity in our positions; but I at last obtained his conditional consent, if only I could succeed in obtaining the Fellowship of the Royal Society, which might, he thought, be accepted as a passport into that fashionable circle of which he was a member.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I took the miniature which he handed me, and looked at it closely.
Whittingham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading I recognized the face at once as that of a lady whose portrait by Gainsborough hangs on the walls of my uncle's dining-room at Whittingham Abbey.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the picture of a young and beautiful girl, with the features and costume of a Sir Joshua.
