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 DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
adjoining
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From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
all
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From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
alleged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His manner was serious, but not discouraging.
CALL
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From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
case
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From this reading The whole case practically hinges upon it.
comfortable
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From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
copy
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From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
counsel
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From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
Deane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
Deane's
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From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
defendants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
depends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
DESPAIRING
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From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
discouraging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His manner was serious, but not discouraging.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
document
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
easy-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
harm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
hinges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole case practically hinges upon it.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His manner was serious, but not discouraging.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
lawyer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His manner was serious, but not discouraging.
message
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His manner was serious, but not discouraging.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
practically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole case practically hinges upon it.
procure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His manner was serious, but not discouraging.
suggested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
summoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
swear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
telephone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His manner was serious, but not discouraging.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole case practically hinges upon it.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
witnesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the defendants are unable to procure it, or a copy of it, or witnesses who can swear to it, I do not think that they can do us much harm, especially if we take the course which I have already suggested to our counsel.
writing-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESPAIRING CALL The great lawyer whom the telephone message from Deane had summoned sat in a comfortable easy-chair adjoining Deane's writing-table.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You see, Deane," he said, "after all, it depends very much upon this alleged document.
