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 SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
appreciable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
assisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
countenance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
disturbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
highly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
inquisitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
meditation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
mess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
mornings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
Nicholson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
perched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
poles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
presumably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
religious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
Sabbath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
SHORTLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
sought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
sour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
surveyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
tragical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
unhappy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The old gentleman looked up with that sour, inquisitive expression that came so near to smiling and was so different in effect.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading ‘This is a time when I do not like to be disturbed,’ he said.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘I know that,’ returned John; ‘but I have—I want—I’ve made a dreadful mess of it,’ he broke out, and turned to the window.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading SHORTLY after breakfast, at which he assisted with a highly tragical countenance, John sought his father where he sat, presumably in religious meditation, on the Sabbath mornings.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Nicholson sat silent for an appreciable time, while his unhappy son surveyed the poles in the back green, and a certain yellow cat that was perched upon the wall.
