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 But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
acknowledged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
add
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
agent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
apt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
assumption
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
brushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
clean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
cobwebs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
complained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
concession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/
spoken privately and not for general knowledge
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
dare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
delay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
detectives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
employed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
existed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
fortunate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Within the next hour.
hour's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
impressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Within the next hour.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
pettishly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
quarters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
suddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Within the next hour.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “A place that has been gone over by a dozen detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever existed.”
useless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading But it will be a useless concession on my part,” she pettishly complained.
WithinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading “Within the next hour.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and so little his confidential agent.
