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 On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
adjoining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
all
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From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
archdeacon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
arriving
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From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
atrium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
basilica
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
Cethegus
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From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
convinced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
cryptnounUS /krɪpt/
An underground room or vault beneath an ancient building, often used for storage or burials.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
exception
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
half-extinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
hinges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
inhabitants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
marble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
noiselessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
priest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
Rusticiana
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
Sebastian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
silver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
Silverius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
slab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
slave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
spring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
thenceadverbUS /ðens/
from that place or that time
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading From thence they passed through the church into the adjoining house of the archdeacon.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
trace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A slab of marble turned on its hinges and allowed the priest who had taken up the lamp to pass, with his two companions, into a small, low chamber, and then quickly and noiselessly closed behind them, leaving no trace of an opening.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
wainscot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At a sign from his master he lighted a silver lamp which stood near him, and pressed a secret spring in the marble wainscot of the room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Silverius, Cethegus, and Rusticiana went together up the steps which led to the crypt of the basilica of St. Sebastian.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On arriving there, Silverius convinced himself that all the inhabitants of the house were asleep, with the exception of an old slave, who was watching in the atrium near a half-extinguished lamp.
