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 THE MATTER OF A CIGAR.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
applenounUS /apple/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
arranging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
arrive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading First, then, the known fondness between J. Cephas Lynne and his daughter Edythe.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
Carter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
Cephas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, then, the known fondness between J. Cephas Lynne and his daughter Edythe.
CIGAR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MATTER OF A CIGAR.
conclusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
content
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, then, the known fondness between J. Cephas Lynne and his daughter Edythe.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
Edythe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, then, the known fondness between J. Cephas Lynne and his daughter Edythe.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
explanation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
facts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
FirstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First, then, the known fondness between J. Cephas Lynne and his daughter Edythe.
fondness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, then, the known fondness between J. Cephas Lynne and his daughter Edythe.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
guessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
J
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, then, the known fondness between J. Cephas Lynne and his daughter Edythe.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, then, the known fondness between J. Cephas Lynne and his daughter Edythe.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
Lynne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
MATTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MATTER OF A CIGAR.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
mystify
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
Nick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MATTER OF A CIGAR.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
reader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
sequence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MATTER OF A CIGAR.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First, then, the known fondness between J. Cephas Lynne and his daughter Edythe.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nick Carter sat silent for a long time after that, and Lynne seemed quite content that he should do so.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The detective was thinking over the facts of the case as he was arranging them in sequence in his own mind, and he could see but one conclusion at which to arrive as an explanation of the mystery; if the reader has already guessed at that conclusion, so much the better, for it is not the purpose here to mystify--only to arrive at facts just as the detective arrived at them.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The papers had had it, and all the world understood it, that ever since the death of the mother of Edythe Lynne the daughter had been the apple of the father’s eye.
