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 Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
anteroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
artist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
Barbara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
Blomberg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found the door of the Blomberg lodgings open.
bow-windowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
brightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
carrying
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From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
crimping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
cuffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found the door of the Blomberg lodgings open.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He found the door of the Blomberg lodgings open.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
greeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
grope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
handkerchiefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
ironing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
lace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
lodgings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He found the door of the Blomberg lodgings open.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading He found the door of the Blomberg lodgings open.
pocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
Putting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
roll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
ruffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was quite brightly lighted, for she was ironing and crimping ruffs for the neck, small lace handkerchiefs, and cuffs.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
total
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
turns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
velvet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was in total darkness, but through the narrow open door in the middle of the left wall one could see what was going on in Barbara's little bow-windowed room.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
Wolf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
workshop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Putting down in the anteroom whatever might be in his way while greeting Barbara, and carrying the roll of velvet under his arm and a little box in his pocket, he entered the chamber which the old man called his artist workshop.
zigzag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of the darkness and the zigzag turns of the stairs, Wolf was so familiar with every corner of the old house that he did not even need to grope his way with his hand.
