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 Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “They are charming, no doubt!
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
brim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Charming, but very frivolous.
charming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are charming, no doubt!
Close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
compactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They are charming, no doubt!
down
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From this reading They drag us down, so to speak, to a lower level.
drag
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From this reading They drag us down, so to speak, to a lower level.
Earl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
favorite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
frivolous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charming, but very frivolous.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
GentlemennounUS /gentlemen/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
issuednounUS /issued/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They drag us down, so to speak, to a lower level.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They drag us down, so to speak, to a lower level.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
military
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading “They are charming, no doubt!
obedience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
orations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
please
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
pompous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
ranks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
sigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They drag us down, so to speak, to a lower level.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They drag us down, so to speak, to a lower level.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “They are charming, no doubt!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They drag us down, so to speak, to a lower level.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charming, but very frivolous.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the last lady had disappeared, and the Earl, taking his place at the head of the table, had issued the military order “Gentlemen!
wine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Close up the ranks, if you please!”, and when, in obedience to his command, we had gathered ourselves compactly round him, the pompous man gave a deep sigh of relief, filled his glass to the brim, pushed on the wine, and began one of his favorite orations.
