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 And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
blameless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
carts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
clutched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
constantlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnstəntli/
continuously or very frequently over a period of time
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
dreams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
fate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
fitful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
forget
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I have saved him.”
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I have saved him.”
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I have saved him.”
impossibleadjectiveUS /ɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/
not able to happen, exist, or be done
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
innocent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
lightenedverb, past participleUS /ˈlaɪtənd/
made less heavy, serious, or difficult to bear
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
load
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
malice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
passionately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
revengeful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
rolling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
savednounUS /saved/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I have saved him.”
shadows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
shared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
suspicion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
trembled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
wintry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.