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 Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
Actually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
Bela
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
button-banging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now this ghastly flashing, humming, stinking, button-banging metal monster!
Capablanca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
chess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
cigar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
consultation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
contortions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
deliberate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It wasn't fair!
flashing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now this ghastly flashing, humming, stinking, button-banging metal monster!
ghastly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now this ghastly flashing, humming, stinking, button-banging metal monster!
Grabo's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
GreatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
humming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now this ghastly flashing, humming, stinking, button-banging metal monster!
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
intergalactic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
Lasker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
Machine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
mannerisms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
metal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now this ghastly flashing, humming, stinking, button-banging metal monster!
monster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now this ghastly flashing, humming, stinking, button-banging metal monster!
neck-tie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
nervous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
Nimzowitsch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now this ghastly flashing, humming, stinking, button-banging metal monster!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
opponent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
opponents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
privacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
Simon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
stinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now this ghastly flashing, humming, stinking, button-banging metal monster!
team
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And now this ghastly flashing, humming, stinking, button-banging metal monster!
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, if chess could only be played in intergalactic space, in the black privacy of one's thoughts.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
unnerving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Actually, he told himself, he was being asked to play two opponents, the Machine and Simon Great, a sort of consultation team.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn't fair!
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But there had to be the physical presence of the opponent with his (possibly deliberate) unnerving mannerisms--Lasker and his cigar, Capablanca and his red neck-tie, Nimzowitsch and his nervous contortions (very like Bela Grabo's, though the latter did not see it that way).
