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 Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
AFTERprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
baited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
beast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
behaviour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
cast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
choosing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first duty of heroics is to be of your own choosing.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
contrive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
cousin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
determine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading The first duty of heroics is to be of your own choosing.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first duty of heroics is to be of your own choosing.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
goaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
hero
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
heroics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
inclined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
mad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first duty of heroics is to be of your own choosing.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
pay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
pity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
pots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
privately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
proud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
publicly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
reckon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
results
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
ruefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
sooner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
STORM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
vengeance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
victim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here were a number of pots broken, and it looked to me as if I should have to pay for all!
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading AFTER THE STORM No sooner was the house clear of my cousin than I began to reckon up, ruefully enough, the probable results of what had passed.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
wheneverconjunctionUS /weˈnevər/
at any time that; every time that
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
whereupon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here had been this proud, mad beast goaded and baited both publicly and privately, till he could neither hear nor see nor reason; whereupon the gate had been set open, and he had been left free to go and contrive whatever vengeance he might find possible.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I could not help thinking it was a pity that, whenever I myself was inclined to be upon my good behaviour, some friends of mine should always determine to play a piece of heroics and cast me for the hero--or the victim--which is very much the same.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The first duty of heroics is to be of your own choosing.
