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 Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
acquainted
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From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
any
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From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
Ashford
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From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
BesidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
better
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From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
bitterness
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From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
brief
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From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
burden
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From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
CANON
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From this reading THE MINOR CANON.
carried
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From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
carry
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From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
companions
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From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
congenial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
conversation
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From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
crossing
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From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
Despard
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From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
eloquent
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From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
heart
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From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
interlocutor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
listeners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
MINOR
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From this reading THE MINOR CANON.
Miss
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From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
Signor
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From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MINOR CANON.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
unsuccess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
unsuccessful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He could sometimes be eloquent with a single interlocutor, but he was a silent man in society, with very little to say for himself, even when his companions were of the most congenial kind.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Besides, the Minor Canon was not a man who could carry on a conversation with several people at a time, or open his heart to more listeners than one.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Ashford had not said much to Miss Despard on the way home; it was but crossing the road, a brief progress which left little room for conversation, and the Signor was better acquainted with her than he was.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was an unsuccessful man, and carried in his soul, though without any bitterness, the burden of his own unsuccess.
