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 IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
amazement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
ASTONISHING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
Benjamin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
bewilderment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why were they leaving the yacht in company?
conspiracy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What fresh conspiracy was there in progress?
countenance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
dark-haired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
deck-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
disclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
disguisenounUS /dɪsˈɡaɪz/
A means of altering one's appearance to conceal one's identity.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
female
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What fresh conspiracy was there in progress?
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
honor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
identity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
ill-lit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
ISauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
Keppel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why were they leaving the yacht in company?
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What fresh conspiracy was there in progress?
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
revelations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
suspected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What fresh conspiracy was there in progress?
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why were they leaving the yacht in company?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
utter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had always believed old Benjamin Keppel to be the soul of honor, but the revelations of the past few hours caused me utter bewilderment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Why were they leaving the yacht in company?
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What fresh conspiracy was there in progress?
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her identity it was that held me in amazement, for that instant I recognized her as none other than the dark-haired, handsome woman whom I had seen lying dead upon the floor of the deck-house on the previous night.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why were they leaving the yacht in company?
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IS ASTONISHING The countenance disclosed by the lamp in the great ill-lit station was not that of a man in female disguise, as I had suspected, but of a woman.
yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why were they leaving the yacht in company?