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 Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
all
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From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
anticipated
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From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
arranged
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From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
arranging
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From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
Boreski
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From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
care
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From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
cash
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From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
cigar
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From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
complied
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From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
considering
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From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
critical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
draft
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From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
dramatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
duly
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From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
dwell
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From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
Emperor
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From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
failure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
fresh
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From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
instinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
Kalkov's
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From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
laid
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From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
led
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From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
lighting
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From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
lightly
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From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
money
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From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
monsieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
objection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
only
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From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
out
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From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
pausing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
Prince
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
request
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From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
tempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
unfolding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “It is after all only the story of a failure, Prince, and naturally one does not care to dwell too long upon it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went to Boreski, as you know, led him to believe that I was the Emperor, laid before him the papers as we arranged, and he took the objection I had anticipated--that he must have the money in cash instead of a draft.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If I did not know you, I might be tempted to think you were arranging the duly dramatic unfolding of the tale, or perhaps,” he added lightly, “considering what part of it you need not tell.”
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before I complied with Prince Kalkov’s request I took out a fresh cigar and spent some time over lighting it.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You have quite a stage instinct, monsieur, in pausing thus at the critical moment.
