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 Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading That was to show you that what you had called glass was really frozen water, another word for which was ice.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
Blaize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
Boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was to show you that what you had called glass was really frozen water, another word for which was ice.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
David
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
drowsy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
EvernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
fast-asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That was to show you that what you had called glass was really frozen water, another word for which was ice.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
frost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
frozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was to show you that what you had called glass was really frozen water, another word for which was ice.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
grown-ups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
ice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
lake-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
leaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
likely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
nurse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
occasional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was to show you that what you had called glass was really frozen water, another word for which was ice.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
sap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
seriously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
show
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was to show you that what you had called glass was really frozen water, another word for which was ice.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
somewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
tremendously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Boys began to get drowsy, he knew, about the time that they were ten, though they might still have occasional waking moments, and soon after that they went sound asleep, and lost all chance of ever seeing the real world.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading That was to show you that what you had called glass was really frozen water, another word for which was ice.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
Why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That was to show you that what you had called glass was really frozen water, another word for which was ice.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ever since he was four years old, and had begun to think seriously, as a boy should, David Blaize had been aware that there was a real world lying somewhere just below the ordinary old thing in which his father and mother and nurse and the rest of the fast-asleep grown-up people lived.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If you asked grown-ups some tremendously important question, such as ‘Why do the leaves fall off the trees when there is glass on the lake?’ as likely as not they would begin talking in their sleep about frost and sap, just as if that had got anything to do with the real reason.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Or they might point out that it wasn’t real glass on the lake, but ice, and, if they were more than usually sound asleep, take a piece of the lake-glass and let you hold it in your fingers till it became water.
