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 A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
absent
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From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
age
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From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
all
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From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
ambitions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
Andrew
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From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
angry
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From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
appeared
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From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
axis
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From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
bent
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From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
Bolton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
cover
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From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
crucial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
earth
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From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
Elliot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
emerged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
event
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
everyday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
experiences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
illuminating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
intelligence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
interview
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
logically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
lot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
meaner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
ministry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
motives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
pitiless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
pleasantnounUS /pleasant/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
precipitated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
purple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
rags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
rainclouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
rays
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
remembrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
review
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
scrutinized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
self
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
serve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
sorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
span
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
splendornounUS /ˈsplen.dər/
Magnificent and splendid appearance; grandeur and brilliance.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
striving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
subsequent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
tatters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
tearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For perhaps the first time in the brief span of his remembrance, he had scrutinized himself in the pitiless light of an intelligence higher than his own everyday consciousness; and the sight of that meaner self, striving to run to cover, had not been pleasant.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had just emerged from one of those crucial experiences of life, which, more than the turning of the earth upon its axis, serve to age a human being.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
Wesley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Just why his late interview with Andrew Bolton should have precipitated this event, he could not possibly have explained to any one—and least of all to himself.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile from town, where the angry wind could be seen at work tearing the purple rainclouds into rags and tatters, through which the hidden sun shot long rays of pale splendor, Wesley Elliot was walking rapidly, his head bent, his eyes fixed and absent.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had begun, logically enough, with an illuminating review of the motives which led him into the ministry; they were a sorry lot, on the whole; but his subsequent ambitions appeared even worse.
