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 conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
angles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
apparently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
arrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
ascertained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
broader
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
candlestick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
conducted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
conductor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
discomfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
dormitories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
extreme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
flat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
groped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
interior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
lighter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
obscure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
retiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
sleeping-cells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
sliding-panel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
surprises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
terrace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These, I ascertained later, were the dormitories, or sleeping-cells, and were placed side by side in a row opening on the terrace at the back of the house.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Having reached the door of my box, my conductor pushed back the sliding-panel, and when I had groped my way to the dark interior, closed it again behind me.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no light for me except the light of the stars; for directly opposite the door by which I had entered stood another, open wide to the night, which was apparently not intended ever to be closed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The moment of retiring, to which I had been looking forward with considerable interest as one likely to bring fresh surprises, arrived at last: it brought only extreme discomfort.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I was conducted (without a flat candlestick) along an obscure passage; then, at right angles with the first, a second broader, lighter passage, leading past a great many doors placed near together.
