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 A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
Adelaide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
Bishop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
Bruce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
centre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
clearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
coincidences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
congregation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
Deville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
fate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
folded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
Fortress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
impulses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
INTERRUPTION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
irony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
Naselton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
nave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
NeitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
news
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
pew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
pillar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bishop came early, and sat by Lady Naselton’s side, the centre of all eyes.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
TERRIBLEnounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE INTERRUPTION By some means or other the news had spread in the village, and such a congregation as I had never seen filled our little church long before the usual time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Neither of these two had I ever seen in church before, and what had brought them there on that particular evening I never clearly understood.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a little irony of fate--one of those impulses which it is hard to believe are altogether coincidences.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In a dark corner I saw, to my surprise, Bruce Deville leaning against a pillar with folded arms, and on my way to my pew I passed Adelaide Fortress seated in a chair in the nave.
