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 I awoke, oppressed by a mysterious sensation.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
analysing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
awakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
awokeverbUS /əˈwoʊk/
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading I awoke, oppressed by a mysterious sensation.
blankets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
bore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
bracing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I awoke, oppressed by a mysterious sensation.
cessation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
continuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
environment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed something missing in my environment.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
fog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I awoke, oppressed by a mysterious sensation.
identified
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There seemed something missing in my environment.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
luxuriously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
mattress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
Maud's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
meets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
missing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed something missing in my environment.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading There seemed something missing in my environment.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading I awoke, oppressed by a mysterious sensation.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
nerve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
oppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I awoke, oppressed by a mysterious sensation.
oppressiveness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
pressure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
produced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
restingnounUS /ˈresting/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
seconds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There seemed something missing in my environment.
sensation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I awoke, oppressed by a mysterious sensation.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There seemed something missing in my environment.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
spray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
tense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
tension
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There seemed something missing in my environment.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first night I had spent under cover in several months, and I lay luxuriously for some minutes under my blankets (for once not wet with fog or spray), analysing, first, the effect produced upon me by the cessation of the wind, and next, the joy which was mine from resting on the mattress made by Maud’s hands.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the mystery and oppressiveness vanished after the first few seconds of waking, when I identified the missing something as the wind.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I had fallen asleep in that state of nerve tension with which one meets the continuous shock of sound or movement, and I had awakened, still tense, bracing myself to meet the pressure of something which no longer bore upon me.
