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 Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
adored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He adored her, and yet he didn't seem to care.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
BOOK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He didn't seem to care.
completely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
departure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
elementary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
foolnounUS /fool/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
fury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
Jevons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
lashing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
motor-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
professed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
puzzled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
reasonable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
treating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
wretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I believe he knew that she was leaving him, that she had left him; and yet, here he was, treating her departure as if it didn't matter, as if it were the most natural and reasonable thing in the world, and lashing himself into a fury about his wretched motor-car.
XII
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HIS BOOK XII At this period, and even now when I go back to it, I am completely puzzled by Jevons.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Here was a man who professed to understand his wife, to know what she was feeling and thinking in every moment of her existence; he would tell you that a man was a fool if he couldn't get the woman he wanted; and yet, having got her, he didn't seem to know in the most elementary way how to keep her.
