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 AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
abnormal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
absolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the latter case it is natural to doubt the absolute truth of the rumours that the thing exists.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
apart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
appears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
beauty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
beings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
bestowal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
bestowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
Bettina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
billions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the latter case it is natural to doubt the absolute truth of the rumours that the thing exists.
cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
discovery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the latter case it is natural to doubt the absolute truth of the rumours that the thing exists.
ENDOWMENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
entire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
exists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the latter case it is natural to doubt the absolute truth of the rumours that the thing exists.
extent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
extraordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
inevitably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the latter case it is natural to doubt the absolute truth of the rumours that the thing exists.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
lifetime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
looks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
million
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
millions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/
causing or relating to death
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
natural
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the latter case it is natural to doubt the absolute truth of the rumours that the thing exists.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
pathway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
personable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
plane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
possess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
prettiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
rumours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the latter case it is natural to doubt the absolute truth of the rumours that the thing exists.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
statistics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the latter case it is natural to doubt the absolute truth of the rumours that the thing exists.
unbounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
UNFAIR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
Vanderpoel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
wealth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it should be bestowed at all--since it is so rare--seems as unfair a thing as appears to the mere mortal mind the bestowal of unbounded wealth, since it quite as inevitably places the life of its owner upon an abnormal plane.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN UNFAIR ENDOWMENT To Bettina Vanderpoel had been given, to an extraordinary extent, the extraordinary thing which is called beauty--which is a thing entirely set apart from mere good looks or prettiness.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are millions of pretty women, and billions of personable men, but the man or woman of entire physical beauty may cross one's pathway only once in a lifetime--or not at all.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This thing is extraordinary because, if statistics were taken, the result would probably be the discovery that not three human beings in a million really possess it.