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 He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
action
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
BODEGA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
committed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
comparatively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
diamonds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
direction
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From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
easier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
foolnounUS /fool/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What a fool I've been!"
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Now, it seemed to him, his hands were tied--he himself had tied them.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Now, it seemed to him, his hands were tied--he himself had tied them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a fool I've been!"
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
ladies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
lady's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, it seemed to him, his hands were tied--he himself had tied them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
Paxton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
practically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
resided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
rightful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now, it seemed to him, his hands were tied--he himself had tied them.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Before he had met Miss Strong he had been, comparatively, free--free, that is, to return the diamonds to their rightful owner.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Now, it seemed to him, his hands were tied--he himself had tied them.
tied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, it seemed to him, his hands were tied--he himself had tied them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
ugly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had practically committed himself to a course of action which could only point in one direction, and that an ugly one.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now, it seemed to him, his hands were tied--he himself had tied them.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN THE BODEGA As Mr. Paxton walked away from the house in which the two ladies resided, it was with the consciousness strong upon him that his position had not been made any easier by what he had said to the lady of his love, not to speak of that lady's friend.
