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 Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
action
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
apparent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
bow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
centre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
commenced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
crumpled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
Deane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
empty
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From this reading The reading-room was empty except for these two men.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading The reading-room was empty except for these two men.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The reading-room was empty except for these two men.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
helpless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
instigation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
larger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
nervous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
newspapers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
pile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
reading-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reading-room was empty except for these two men.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
Sarsby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
stamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The reading-room was empty except for these two men.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
throw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
torn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sarsby, with a pile of torn and crumpled newspapers in front of him, was still standing, leaning over the long table in the centre of the room.
tortuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The reading-room was empty except for these two men.
UNEXPECTED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
VISITOR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
weight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading He seemed to throw the whole weight of further action upon this stranger at whose instigation he had commenced the search.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Deane was sitting in the little bow window, looking down with apparent interest into the narrow, tortuous street.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR Mr. Sarsby, like most men of his stamp, when brought in touch with larger things than his world knew of, was nervous and helpless.
