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 There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
BAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
boss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He put the case lightly, for the man to whom he was talking was evidently bright:
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
candid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He put the case lightly, for the man to whom he was talking was evidently bright:
charge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
communication
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
emergency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
encouragement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
Evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He put the case lightly, for the man to whom he was talking was evidently bright:
frequent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He put the case lightly, for the man to whom he was talking was evidently bright:
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
intervals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
irritated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
lightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He put the case lightly, for the man to whom he was talking was evidently bright:
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
overseer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He put the case lightly, for the man to whom he was talking was evidently bright:
questioner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
questioning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
require
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
satisfaction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
sharp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
SOFTLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
someonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/
a person, without saying who
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
Stafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
statements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He put the case lightly, for the man to whom he was talking was evidently bright:
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
thoroughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
triflenounUS /ˈtraɪfəl/
something that needs very little effort
From this reading In fact the boss had seemed not altogether open and candid in his statements and Stafford had become a trifle irritated.
versatility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Evidently the emergency had been thought such as to require the presence of someone of greater versatility than was likely to be possessed by the train crew, but from this new overseer the questioner received but little satisfaction.
voluble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading There had been a sharp questioning of a new man in charge, a person who seemed to know his business thoroughly, but who was far from voluble in conversation.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He put the case lightly, for the man to whom he was talking was evidently bright:
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading AT BAY SOFTLY Stafford had at frequent intervals during the day been in communication with the relief train and had received neither encouragement nor the opposite.
