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 "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
Anchor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
concocted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
delegato
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From this reading "Oh!" exclaimed the _delegato_ in disbelief.
description
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From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
detectives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
disbelief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh!" exclaimed the _delegato_ in disbelief.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
emergency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
exclaimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh!" exclaimed the _delegato_ in disbelief.
expectingverbUS /ɪkˈspektɪŋ/
thinking that somebody or something will arrive
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
fixing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
identified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
Italia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
keen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
Line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
Naples
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
New
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh!" exclaimed the _delegato_ in disbelief.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
prompt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
readiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
Sampson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
Samuel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
telegraphed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
Under-steward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "And what are you?"
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My name is Sampson--Samuel Sampson," was my prompt reply, for during the whole of the previous day I had gradually concocted a story in readiness for any emergency.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
York
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Under-steward on board the _Italia_ of the Anchor Line between Naples and New York.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Now who are you?" he asked, fixing me with his keen dark eyes, while the two detectives, who had evidently been expecting my arrival and identified me from the telegraphed description, stood by watching.
