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 He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
after-dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
agreeably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
Arbuthnot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He raised his head and looked around then, uttering a slight ejaculation of surprise.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Bertha!" he said.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
departed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
dined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
door-bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
ejaculation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his head and looked around then, uttering a slight ejaculation of surprise.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
entertained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
favorite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
guest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his head and looked around then, uttering a slight ejaculation of surprise.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
knee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He raised his head and looked around then, uttering a slight ejaculation of surprise.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
pondered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
professor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his head and looked around then, uttering a slight ejaculation of surprise.
rang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Bertha!" he said.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his head and looked around then, uttering a slight ejaculation of surprise.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
social
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his head and looked around then, uttering a slight ejaculation of surprise.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his head and looked around then, uttering a slight ejaculation of surprise.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
ultimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
unfinished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
uttering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his head and looked around then, uttering a slight ejaculation of surprise.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
volume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
welfare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was of his departed guest that he was thinking as he pondered, and of certain plans he had on hand for his ultimate welfare, and his thoughts so deeply occupied him that he did not hear the sound of the door-bell, which rang as he sat, nor notice any other sound until the door of the room opened and some one entered.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, Bertha!" he said.
wine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The professor sat in his favorite chair by his library fire, an open volume on his knee, and his after-dinner glass of wine, still unfinished, on the table near him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had dined a couple of hours ago with Mr. Arbuthnot, who had entertained him very agreeably and had not long since left him to present himself upon some social scene.
