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 PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
aghast
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
ago
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
alchemist
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From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
amazement
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
any
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
Arne
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From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
astonishments
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
BLASTING
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
CENTRE
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
doubt
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From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
dumb
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
EARTH
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
engraved
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
eulogium
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From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
excused
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
existence
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From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
fact
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From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
further
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
glaring
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From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
hardened
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
hero
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From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
hundred
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
incredulity
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From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
initials
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From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
iron
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From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
launched
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From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
lay
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From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
learned
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From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
letters
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
Liedenbrock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
living
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From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
longer
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From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
marvellous
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
most
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From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
occupying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
only
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From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
PASSAGEnounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
pilgrimage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
PREPARATIONS
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
Professor
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From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
reflections
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From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
rhapsodical
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From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
rock
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From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
Saknussemm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
sight
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
somewhat
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From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
spot
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
startnounUS /start/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
surprise
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From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
there
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From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
three
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From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
traveller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
unparalleled
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From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR BLASTING A PASSAGE TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH Since the start upon this marvellous pilgrimage I had been through so many astonishments that I might well be excused for thinking myself well hardened against any further surprise.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
WhilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/
an old and formal word for “while”
From this reading Whilst these reflections were occupying me, Professor Liedenbrock had launched into a somewhat rhapsodical eulogium, of which Arne Saknussemm was, of course, the hero.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not only were the initials of the learned alchemist visible upon the living rock, but there lay the iron point with which the letters had been engraved.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I could no longer doubt of the existence of that wonderful traveller and of the fact of his unparalleled journey, without the most glaring incredulity.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet at the sight of these two letters, engraved on this spot three hundred years ago, I stood aghast in dumb amazement.
