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 Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
Bianchon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
breast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
button
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will call for you.
cloth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
complicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
cravatnounUS /krəˈvæt/
A short, wide strip of silk fabric worn by gentlemen around the neck inside an open-collared shirt.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
crossing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
d'Espard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
displaying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
dusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
engagement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “I will call for you.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
GoodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I will call for you.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
judgment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
laugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
Lavienne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
mounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
NextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
note
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
permission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
Popinot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
pull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
secrets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
stains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
statement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
tailor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
To-morrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
unadorned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
uncle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading The coat Lavienne had ordered of the tailor had not been sent, so Popinot put on his old stained coat, and was the Popinot unadorned whose appearance made those laugh who did not know the secrets of his private life.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I will call for you.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bianchon, however, obtained permission to pull his cravat straight, and to button his coat, and he hid the stains by crossing the breast of it with the right side over the left, and so displaying the new front of the cloth.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next evening at nine Bianchon mounted his uncle’s dusty staircase, and found him at work on the statement of some complicated judgment.
Write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I will call for you.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Write down in your engagement book: ‘To-morrow evening at nine, Madame d’Espard.’--Good!” said Bianchon, seeing his uncle make a note of the engagement.
