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 TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
apparently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
ascent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
await
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
breathlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
cliff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
clungnounUS /clung/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
DEADnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
despair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
DRAWN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
dreading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
enemy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no escape.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
faculties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
footsteps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
Hemmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
image
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
KNIFE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
MAN'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There was no escape.
northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
precipice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
robbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
ROCK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
sheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
SONG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hemmed in as we were between the sheer cliff and the precipice, we could only sit still and await the man's coming.
stony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
SUNG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
TELLS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no escape.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
UPONprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
Utter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
vacant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TELLS HOW A SONG WAS SUNG AND A KNIFE DRAWN UPON DEAD MAN'S ROCK.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I have said that the ascent of Dead Man's Rock was possible, but that was upon the northern side, from which we were now utterly cut off.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Utter fear had apparently robbed my companion of all his faculties, for he sat, a stony image of despair, looking with staring, vacant eyes at the spot where his enemy would appear; while as for me, dreading I knew not what, I clung to the rock and listened breathlessly to the sound of the footsteps as they came nearer and nearer.
