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 Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
abused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
according
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
Annie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have understood, no doubt, no reason for his feeling any.
appointment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
awaited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
Baron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
Bickerdike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
Calvin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
Characteristically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
commission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could have understood, no doubt, no reason for his feeling any.
counter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not his fault if it had led him in a direction tragically counter to the expectations of his employer.
cruelly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
detective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not his fault if it had led him in a direction tragically counter to the expectations of his employer.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have understood, no doubt, no reason for his feeling any.
embarrassment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
employer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
Evans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
executed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
expectations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not his fault if it had led him in a direction tragically counter to the expectations of his employer.
fault
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not his fault if it had led him in a direction tragically counter to the expectations of his employer.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He could have understood, no doubt, no reason for his feeling any.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He could have understood, no doubt, no reason for his feeling any.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He could have understood, no doubt, no reason for his feeling any.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
hospitality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was not his fault if it had led him in a direction tragically counter to the expectations of his employer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was not his fault if it had led him in a direction tragically counter to the expectations of his employer.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not his fault if it had led him in a direction tragically counter to the expectations of his employer.
Le
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not his fault if it had led him in a direction tragically counter to the expectations of his employer.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
murderer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He could have understood, no doubt, no reason for his feeling any.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
punctually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have understood, no doubt, no reason for his feeling any.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
Ridgway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
Sage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
Sergeant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
Sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
study
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His commission had been to discover the murderer of Annie Evans, and, according to the best of his lights, he had executed that commission.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
tragically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not his fault if it had led him in a direction tragically counter to the expectations of his employer.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could have understood, no doubt, no reason for his feeling any.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Sergeant Ridgway, turning up punctually to his appointment, was shown into Sir Calvin’s study, where he found, not his former employer, but the Baron Le Sage, seated alone.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Characteristically, the detective showed as little surprise at seeing who awaited him as he did embarrassment over his return to a house whose hospitality he had, according to Mr. Bickerdike, so cruelly abused.