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 Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
all
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From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
bipeds
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
bridge
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From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
cards
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From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
certain
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
characters
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
circumstances
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
conduct
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
county
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From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
curious
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
days
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From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
doubtful
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
down
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From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/
every person
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
far
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From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
few
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From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
financial
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From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
Funny
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From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
generally
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
height
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From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
hunting
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From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
inquire
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
inquiries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
inquisitors
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
kind
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From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
Lea
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From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
leader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
Like
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From this reading “Like a retired tradesman!
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
made
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From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
magnificence
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From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
neighbourhood
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From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
newcomers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
other
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
Polydore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
previously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
reported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
respectability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading “Like a retired tradesman!
Rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
settling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
strictness
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From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
tradesman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Like a retired tradesman!
unimpeachable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had, of course, previously made the usual private “kind inquiries,”--first as to the newcomers’ financial position, and next as to their respectability, and both were found to be unimpeachable.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
WithinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Within a very few days of their “settling down” at Rose Lea, everybody in the neighbourhood,--that is to say, everybody of “county” standing--that height of social magnificence--had left their cards on Mr. and Mrs. Polydore May.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Funny little man, that Mr. May!” said the woman leader of the “hunting set,” who played bridge all day and as far into the night as she could.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the most curious circumstances in this curious world is the strictness with which certain little bipeds inquire into the reported life and conduct of other little bipeds, the inquisitors themselves being generally the most doubtful characters.
