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 A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
bore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lips were a little parted, his breathing was scarcely healthy.
caller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
collar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
complexion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
contrast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
countenance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
deep-set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
doubtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
ghastliness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
healthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lips were a little parted, his breathing was scarcely healthy.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
ill-brushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
irregular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
LIFEnounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lips were a little parted, his breathing was scarcely healthy.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
nervous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
parted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lips were a little parted, his breathing was scarcely healthy.
personal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
positions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
recklessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
reduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
relative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
SALE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His lips were a little parted, his breathing was scarcely healthy.
shabby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
significant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
suggestion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
summoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
sunken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
suppliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His complexion was pale almost to ghastliness, and in his deep-set, sunken eyes there was more than a suggestion of recklessness.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
traces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
trembled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
twitched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was so nervous that his face twitched as he stood there waiting, and the fingers which held his hat trembled.
waiting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A LIFE FOR SALE The contrast in personal appearance between the two men, having regard to their relative positions, was a significant thing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His lips were a little parted, his breathing was scarcely healthy.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The caller, who had just been summoned from the waiting-room, and was standing before the other's table, hat in hand, a little shabby, with ill-brushed hair and doubtful collar, bore in his countenance many traces of the wild and irregular life which had reduced him at this moment to the position of suppliant.