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 THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
assumed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They discussed facts impersonally, dispassionately, and what Sylvia had assumed, her old friend could not controvert.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
blot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
capitol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
controvert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They discussed facts impersonally, dispassionately, and what Sylvia had assumed, her old friend could not controvert.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They discussed facts impersonally, dispassionately, and what Sylvia had assumed, her old friend could not controvert.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
crux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
discussed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They discussed facts impersonally, dispassionately, and what Sylvia had assumed, her old friend could not controvert.
dispassionately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They discussed facts impersonally, dispassionately, and what Sylvia had assumed, her old friend could not controvert.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
dome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
facts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They discussed facts impersonally, dispassionately, and what Sylvia had assumed, her old friend could not controvert.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
impersonally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They discussed facts impersonally, dispassionately, and what Sylvia had assumed, her old friend could not controvert.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
MAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They discussed facts impersonally, dispassionately, and what Sylvia had assumed, her old friend could not controvert.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
Owen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
pondered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
SHADOWS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
shortly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
squarely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
Sylvia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They discussed facts impersonally, dispassionately, and what Sylvia had assumed, her old friend could not controvert.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Not what others had done, not what others might do, but what course Sylvia should follow--this was the crux of the situation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
visit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night, in the room she had occupied on that far day of her first visit to Mrs. Owen, Sylvia had pondered.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE MAN OF SHADOWS The dome was a great blot against the stars when, shortly after eight o'clock that evening, Sylvia entered the capitol.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not for us to know what passed in that still chamber between her and her friend; but it was the way of both women to meet the truth squarely.
