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 A MESSAGE IN THE DUST.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
attacked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
beautiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
canvas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
Carter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
costly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
discovery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
DUST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE DUST.
entrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
exist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
existed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
frame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
hesitate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
improvised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE DUST.
injure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
levers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
MESSAGE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE DUST.
metal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
Nick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
portrait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
proceeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
pry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
prying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
screw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
sheet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
steel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MESSAGE IN THE DUST.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He attacked the frame of the picture, then, and here he could pry with his improvised levers.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
Thomas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
tools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
unavailable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
uncovering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
vandalism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed like vandalism to injure that frame, for it was a beautiful and a costly one; but there was reason sufficient for doing so, and Nick Carter did not hesitate.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With the tools he had asked for at hand, Nick Carter lost no time in beginning the work of uncovering the entrance to the secret passage between the walls if one existed, and he had every reason to believe that one did exist.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had not proceeded far with this part of the search when he made the discovery that the canvas upon which the portrait was painted had been stretched over a flat sheet of metal, probably steel, that there were no screw heads in sight, and that prying with the tools that Thomas had brought to him would be unavailable.
