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 The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "The times are serious," he began.
arise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "The times are serious," he began.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of the entire household there was but one left to do the master service.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
couches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Of the entire household there was but one left to do the master service.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
entire
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From this reading Of the entire household there was but one left to do the master service.
entresol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
footfall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the entire household there was but one left to do the master service.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
inquiringly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
interior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of the entire household there was but one left to do the master service.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the entire household there was but one left to do the master service.
MERCY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Of the entire household there was but one left to do the master service.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
paused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
QUALITY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
seats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The times are serious," he began.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of the entire household there was but one left to do the master service.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
stairway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The times are serious," he began.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of the entire household there was but one left to do the master service.
tumult
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
vistas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading They entered the great hall, passed the foot of the wide stairway, and turned at the first _entresol_, where were seats and couches.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The servant paused for a moment and looked inquiringly at the lady with whom he now found himself in company.
WithinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading THE QUALITY OF MERCY Within the great house there was silence, for the vistas of the wide interior led far back from the street and its tumult; nor did there arise within the walls any sound of voice or footfall.
