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 After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
altar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
arrangement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
bases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
boughs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
cella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
column
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
commodiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
companions
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From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
custom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
ditch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
edifice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
ends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
gods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
Gothic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
heathen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
Hildebrand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
holm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
inner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
loose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
mighty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
Northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
oak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
porticum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
reminded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
ruined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
shafts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
shallow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
Silently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
spear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
spears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
statues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
strip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
supported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
tallest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
temple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
torch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
triangle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
turf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
unequal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hildebrand took the torch from the column, and went across the inner space, past the cella of the temple, past the ruined high altar, past the bases of the statues of the gods--long since fallen--to the porticum or back of the edifice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A strange sight presented itself under this oak, which, however, at once reminded the old man's Gothic companions of a custom of ancient heathen times in their distant Northern home.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Silently his companions followed the old man, who led them down the steps into the open field.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading After a short walk they stopped under an ancient holm, whose mighty boughs held off storm and rain like a roof.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under the oak a strip of thick turf, only a foot broad, but several yards long, had been cut loose from the ground; the two ends of the strip still lay in the shallow ditch thus formed, but in the middle it was raised over and supported by three long spears of unequal length, which were fixed into the ground, the tallest spear being in the middle, so that the whole arrangement formed a triangle, under which several men could stand commodiously between the shafts of the spears.
