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 Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
background
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
balancenounUS /ˈbalance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
banged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
Black's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
ceiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
churchyard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
comfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
commotion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
credit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
debit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
diligently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
drip-dropping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
Elliot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
evergreens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
everyday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
gurgling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
howled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
impact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
inadequate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
intermittently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
leaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
ledger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
lines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
loosened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
minister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
pan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
panes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
parsonage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
prominence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
Rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
resoundingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
rusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
sermon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
shelter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
shutter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
slanting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
Solomonproper nounUS /ˈsɒl.ə.mən/
A legendary king renowned for his wisdom and fabulous hidden mines.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
stock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
tight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
torrents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
umbrella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
unpleasant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
untoward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
Upstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
Wesley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was the sort of day when untoward events, near and far, stand out with unpleasant prominence against the background of one’s everyday life.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading A day in which a man is led, whether he will or not, to take stock of himself and to balance with some care the credit and debit sides of his ledger.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rain was falling in torrents, slanting past the windows of the old parsonage in long gray lines, gurgling up between loosened panes, and drip-dropping resoundingly in the rusty pan the minister had set under a broken spot in the ceiling.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Upstairs a loosened shutter banged intermittently under the impact of the wind, which howled past, to lose itself with great commotion in the tops of the tall evergreens in the churchyard.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wesley Elliot had been working diligently on his sermon since nine o’clock that morning, at which hour he had deserted Mrs. Solomon Black’s comfortable tight roof, to walk under the inadequate shelter of a leaking umbrella to the parsonage.
