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 "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
absolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
allegations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
allege
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
ay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
blank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
blot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
comes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
complaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A middle course is happily open yet.
demands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
Enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
excuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
fault
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
favor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
feebleness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
Forbid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
frown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
grant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
happily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A middle course is happily open yet.
Hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
holiday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
leprosy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
lifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
makes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
masquerade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A middle course is happily open yet.
moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
needs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading A middle course is happily open yet.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
pattern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
plaguy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
priest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
purified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
redress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
robe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
scourge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
seeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
thorny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
touched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
truant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
unclean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Here has a blot surprised the social blank,-- Whether through favor, feebleness or fault, No matter, leprosy has touched our robe And we unclean must needs be purified.
WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading On the other hand, Here is a husband, ay and man of mark, Who comes complaining here, demands redress As if he were the pattern of desert-- The while those plaguy allegations frown, Forbid we grant him the redress he seeks.
WhopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Here is a wife makes holiday from home, A priest caught playing truant to his church, In masquerade moreover: both allege Enough excuse to stop our lifted scourge Which else would heavily fall.
yeaexclamationUS /jeɪ/
an old word for “yes”
From this reading "It is a thorny question, yea, a tale Hard to believe, but not impossible: Who can be absolute for either side?
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading A middle course is happily open yet.
