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 will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
all
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From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
anxious
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From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
bare
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From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
beats
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From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
boys
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From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
burningly
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From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
canvas
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From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
chiefly
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From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
consider
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From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
day
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From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
day's
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From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
description
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From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
down
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From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
exert
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From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
Fritz
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From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
hastened
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From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
heat
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From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
improved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
livelong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
occupations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
oppressive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
perceiving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
rocky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
signal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
signals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
slumbered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
sons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
tent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
utmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
watching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading `"For it is perfectly impossible," said I to myself, "to live much longer where we are now.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The sun beats burningly the livelong day on this bare rocky spot, our only shelter is this poor tent, beneath the canvas of which the heat is even more oppressive than on the open shore.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why should not I and my little boys exert ourselves as well as my husband and Fritz?
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading I rose very early this morning, and with the utmost joy perceiving your signal that all was right, hastened to reply to it, and then while my sons yet slumbered, I sat down and began to consider how our position could be improved.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading `I will spare you a description,' said my wife, `of our first day's occupations; truth to tell, I spent the time chiefly in anxious thought and watching your progress and signals.
