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 I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
admission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
advance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
argue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
bottom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eat, eat, eat!" he cried; "that's the bottom and the top."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
butter-churns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
conclusions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Eat, eat, eat!" he cried; "that's the bottom and the top."
declared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thing was different, he declared, and nothing was serviceable but what had to do with food.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The thing was different, he declared, and nothing was serviceable but what had to do with food.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The thing was different, he declared, and nothing was serviceable but what had to do with food.
Eat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eat, eat, eat!" he cried; "that's the bottom and the top."
fight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried to fight the point with Mackay.
food
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I tried to fight the point with Mackay.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
insignificant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
jibbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
leisure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
Mackay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried to fight the point with Mackay.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
mechanisms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The thing was different, he declared, and nothing was serviceable but what had to do with food.
otherwise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
ploughs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading I tried to fight the point with Mackay.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
ready-made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
serviceable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thing was different, he declared, and nothing was serviceable but what had to do with food.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eat, eat, eat!" he cried; "that's the bottom and the top."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I tried to fight the point with Mackay.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The thing was different, he declared, and nothing was serviceable but what had to do with food.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I tried to fight the point with Mackay.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Eat, eat, eat!" he cried; "that's the bottom and the top."
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I tried to fight the point with Mackay.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
wary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I made him own that he had taken pleasure in reading books otherwise, to his view, insignificant; but he was too wary to advance a step beyond the admission.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The thing was different, he declared, and nothing was serviceable but what had to do with food.
whereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/
in contrast with the fact that
From this reading It was in vain for me to argue that here was pleasure ready-made and running from the spring, whereas his ploughs and butter-churns were but means and mechanisms to give men the necessary food and leisure before they start upon the search for pleasure; he jibbed and ran away from such conclusions.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I tried to fight the point with Mackay.
