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 Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
approach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At no time did I dare to utter her name.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
communicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
conquer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
consider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
danger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
dare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At no time did I dare to utter her name.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading At no time did I dare to utter her name.
equalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
Esther's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I felt as if I did not even dare to hear it.
evermore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
fears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt as if I did not even dare to hear it.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I felt as if I did not even dare to hear it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I felt as if I did not even dare to hear it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
increasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
Knowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At no time did I dare to utter her name.
Narrative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading At no time did I dare to utter her name.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
peril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
terror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At no time did I dare to utter her name.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
unforeseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
utter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At no time did I dare to utter her name.
venture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Knowing that my mere existence as a living creature was an unforeseen danger in her way, I could not always conquer that terror of myself which had seized me when I first knew the secret.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Esther’s Narrative It matters little now how much I thought of my living mother who had told me evermore to consider her dead.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not venture to approach her or to communicate with her in writing, for my sense of the peril in which her life was passed was only to be equalled by my fears of increasing it.
