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 To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
act-drop
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From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
Arethusa
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From this reading None too soon for the Arethusa.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
bolts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
calamity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
call
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From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
cellar
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From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
chains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
concord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
covering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
cow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
curtain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
daylight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
delicate
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From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
drama
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From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
ecstasy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
ended
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From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading None too soon for the Arethusa.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
friendly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
gendarme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
gesture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
half-an-hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
healing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
hum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
imprisoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
laughed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
libre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
magnificent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
noises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
NonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading None too soon for the Arethusa.
nostril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
shivering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None too soon for the Arethusa.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
student
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And here it might be thought that my history ended; but not so, this was an act-drop and not the curtain.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading None too soon for the Arethusa.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading To the imprisoned one, shivering under the public covering, there came suddenly a noise of bolts and chains.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
Vous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
warmth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I doubt if he had been half-an-hour imprisoned; but by the watch in a man’s brain (which was the only watch he carried) he should have been eight times longer; and he passed forth with ecstasy up the cellar stairs into the healing warmth of the afternoon sun; and the breath of the earth came as sweet as a cow’s into his nostril; and he heard again (and could have laughed for pleasure) the concord of delicate noises that we call the hum of life.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
êtes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang to his feet, ready to welcome a companion in calamity; and instead of that, the door was flung wide, the friendly gendarme appeared above in the strong daylight, and with a magnificent gesture (being probably a student of the drama)—“_Vous êtes libre_!” he said.
