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 I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
alighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But time was pressing.
carriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
catch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
caution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
crossing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
devise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
drove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
Embassy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
Emperor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
Foreign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
glanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
incident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
mid-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
muttering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
preoccupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
pressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But time was pressing.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
revive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
served
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
SomethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
stared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But time was pressing.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Something about him struck me as familiar, and I glanced after him with half a mind to follow and speak to him.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The incident had served to revive my caution, however, and when I alighted I had a good look about me.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was very preoccupied with my plans as I left the Foreign Embassy, and, crossing the side path quickly, ran against a man, who turned, stared, started, and muttering some words I did not catch, passed on.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading It was already mid-day, and I had yet to devise a means of getting at the Emperor; so I entered my carriage and drove back to the hotel.
