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 is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
Anne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
arose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
cabals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
circumstance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
contrast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
counting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
derogate
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From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
die
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
farthing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
Fibi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
figure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
graver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
Gwynplaine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
ill-sounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
innkeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
magnificence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
Master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
misery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
Nicless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
observationnounUS /ˈobservation/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
Once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
opinion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
parasitical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
picked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
prudence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
receipts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
repeatednounUS /repeated/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
representing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
sake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
speech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WAPENTAKE.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
throne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
uneasy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
Ursus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is true that this idea arose from a circumstance much graver, in the opinion of Ursus, than the cabals of the fair or of the church.
Vinos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
WAPENTAKE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WAPENTAKE.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This observation was repeated by Master Nicless, and had such a run that it reached to Ursus through Fibi and Vinos.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once, however, he thought it his duty to derogate from this prudence, for prudence’ sake, thinking that it might be well to make Gwynplaine uneasy.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Gwynplaine, as he picked up a farthing which had fallen when counting the receipts, had, in the presence of the innkeeper, drawn a contrast between the farthing, representing the misery of the people, and the die, representing, under the figure of Anne, the parasitical magnificence of the throne--an ill-sounding speech.
