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 To his astonishment, he found the church in a blaze of lights.
altar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "No, for it is nearly midnight," rejoined another.
anticipation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
approaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
astonishment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To his astonishment, he found the church in a blaze of lights.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
belated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
blaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To his astonishment, he found the church in a blaze of lights.
brilliantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They cannot delay much longer," observed one.
ceremony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
Chaillot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
decorated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
delay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They cannot delay much longer," observed one.
discussed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
excitedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
faubourg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "No, for it is nearly midnight," rejoined another.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To his astonishment, he found the church in a blaze of lights.
grouped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
heights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
illuminated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
imposing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To his astonishment, he found the church in a blaze of lights.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "No, for it is nearly midnight," rejoined another.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "No, for it is nearly midnight," rejoined another.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To his astonishment, he found the church in a blaze of lights.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They cannot delay much longer," observed one.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, for it is nearly midnight," rejoined another.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They cannot delay much longer," observed one.
mulatto
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No, for it is nearly midnight," rejoined another.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading "No, for it is nearly midnight," rejoined another.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They cannot delay much longer," observed one.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "They cannot delay much longer," observed one.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
populous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
rejoinednounUS /ˈrejoined/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "No, for it is nearly midnight," rejoined another.
sanctuarynounUS /ˈsæŋk.tʃu.er.i/
A place of safety, refuge, or holy retreat within the academy.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
seekers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
surrounding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
tapers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "They cannot delay much longer," observed one.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
throng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To his astonishment, he found the church in a blaze of lights.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
wayfarers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
wended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mulatto wended his way slowly toward the heights of Chaillot, until he reached the church of that poor, populous _faubourg_.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Through the wide open door could be seen the sanctuary and altar, brilliantly illuminated with tapers and decorated with flowers, as though in anticipation of some imposing ceremony, while grouped in the street and surrounding windows, a throng of curiosity seekers and belated wayfarers excitedly discussed the approaching event.
