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 As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was possible that they were already too late and that the work had been done.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If that was indeed so, they could at least have their revenge upon the man who had done it.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
conspirators
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If that was indeed so, they could at least have their revenge upon the man who had done it.
crime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was possible that they were already too late and that the work had been done.
employers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
emptied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
extreme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
fringe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If that was indeed so, they could at least have their revenge upon the man who had done it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If that was indeed so, they could at least have their revenge upon the man who had done it.
instance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was possible that they were already too late and that the work had been done.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If that was indeed so, they could at least have their revenge upon the man who had done it.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
McMurdo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
pistols
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
planned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was possible that they were already too late and that the work had been done.
revenge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If that was indeed so, they could at least have their revenge upon the man who had done it.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
simply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading If that was indeed so, they could at least have their revenge upon the man who had done it.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
suited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was possible that they were already too late and that the work had been done.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was possible that they were already too late and that the work had been done.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was on the extreme fringe of the town and stood well back from the road.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading If that was indeed so, they could at least have their revenge upon the man who had done it.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was possible that they were already too late and that the work had been done.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As McMurdo had said, the house in which he lived was a lonely one and very well suited for such a crime as they had planned.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading If that was indeed so, they could at least have their revenge upon the man who had done it.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was possible that they were already too late and that the work had been done.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In any other case the conspirators would have simply called out their man, as they had many a time before, and emptied their pistols into his body; but in this instance it was very necessary to find out how much he knew, how he knew it, and what had been passed on to his employers.
