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 “No; that’s nothing; that was a common crime.”
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading “Well, I have no right to ask you anything further.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I have no right to ask you anything further.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ray did not speak at once.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No; that’s nothing; that was a common crime.”
confusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
crime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No; that’s nothing; that was a common crime.”
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Ray did not speak at once.
Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
expiate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
expiation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I have no right to ask you anything further.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
haunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Well, I have no right to ask you anything further.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
helping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Well, I have no right to ask you anything further.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
invention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
lot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
makes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading “No; that’s nothing; that was a common crime.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ray did not speak at once.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading “No; that’s nothing; that was a common crime.”
objective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray did not speak at once.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
partly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
pry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
Ray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray did not speak at once.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Well, I have no right to ask you anything further.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ray did not speak at once.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No; that’s nothing; that was a common crime.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
trouble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
turbid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
vision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I have no right to ask you anything further.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But in any given case of expiation, the trouble is that a man can’t expiate alone; he makes a lot of other people expiate with him.”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
yourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
æsthetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, partly because he thought he might be of use to the man by helping him to an objective vision of what was haunting him, and partly from an æsthetic desire to pry into the confusion of his turbid soul, he asked: “Do you mean for that invention of yours?”
