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 It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
America
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
array
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
asks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
attending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
availed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
begging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
belated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
Brydon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
concerns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
consistently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
demand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
dispositionnounUS /ˌdɪspəˈzɪʃən/
the way something is arranged or positioned
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
dodging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
licence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
margin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
neglected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
nonsense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
organised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
pains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
performance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
promptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
putting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
resource
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
scale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
silly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
somehow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
Spencer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
stand-and-deliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
Staverton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/
to provide what someone needs in order to live
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
surprises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thirty-three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
unattenuated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Everything was somehow a surprise; and that might be natural when one had so long and so consistently neglected everything, taken pains to give surprises so much margin for play.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was talking to Miss Staverton, with whom for a couple of months now he had availed himself of every possible occasion to talk; this disposition and this resource, this comfort and support, as the situation in fact presented itself, having promptly enough taken the first place in the considerable array of rather unattenuated surprises attending his so strangely belated return to America.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Every one asks me what I 'think' of everything," said Spencer Brydon; "and I make answer as I can--begging or dodging the question, putting them off with any nonsense.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wouldn't matter to any of them really," he went on, "for, even were it possible to meet in that stand-and-deliver way so silly a demand on so big a subject, my 'thoughts' would still be almost altogether about something that concerns only myself."
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had given them more than thirty years--thirty-three, to be exact; and they now seemed to him to have organised their performance quite on the scale of that licence.
