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 But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
absolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His conviction was immediate and absolute.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His conviction was immediate and absolute.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
aqueduct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
climb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
conviction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His conviction was immediate and absolute.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
culprit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "But she's dead," he said.
decide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
exclaimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
hen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His conviction was immediate and absolute.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
immediate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His conviction was immediate and absolute.
impelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
instinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
letting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
lie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
parasol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
Pierre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
pines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
Prada
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
premeditate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
rear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
ruined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But she's dead," he said.
Santobono
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
she's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But she's dead," he said.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
shuddered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His conviction was immediate and absolute.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
what's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Prada, who shuddered as if he himself were the culprit, answered him with a lie, a lie which he did not premeditate, but to which he was impelled by a sort of instinct.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The voice was that of Pierre, who, letting Santobono climb into the carriage alone, had in his turn come round to the rear of the house in order to obtain a better view of the ruined aqueduct among the parasol pines.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But he did not have time to decide what course he should take, for a voice behind him exclaimed: "Why, it's the little hen; what's the matter with her?"
