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 “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
accumulating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
all
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From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
ambition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
characteristic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
childhood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.
directed
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From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
doctornounUS /doctor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
exceedingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.
extinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
extravagant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
finish
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From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
fortunate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
Languedoc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
marriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
money-getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
nobler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
Oratorians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
Paris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
partly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
patrimony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
persistent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
pride
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
provinces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
provincial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
resumednounUS /ˈresumed/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
retrievedverbUS /rɪˈtriːvd/
Got or brought back something that was lost or hidden.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
slow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
Sorreze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
spendingnounUS /ˈspending/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
squandered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.
studies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
thrift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had retrieved his position partly by a fortunate marriage, partly by the slow persistent thrift characteristic of provincial life; for in the provinces people pride themselves on accumulating rather than on spending, and all the ambition in a man’s nature is either extinguished or directed to money-getting, for want of any nobler end.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I was born in a little town in Languedoc,” the doctor resumed.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When I was eight years old I was sent to the school of the Oratorians at Sorreze, and only left it to finish my studies in Paris.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My father had been settled there for many years, and there my early childhood was spent.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My father had squandered his patrimony in the course of an exceedingly wild and extravagant youth.
