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 As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
attempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
back
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From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
cabin
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From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
came
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From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
chest
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From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
Colliver
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From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
consisted
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From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
dimly
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From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
dingy
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From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
distinguish
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From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
eyeing
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From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
faint
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From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
flickering
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From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
furniture
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From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
gaunt
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From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
gradually
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From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
GREATnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
hand
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From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
just
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From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
KEY
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From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
LEARNT
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From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
lit
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From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
MANNER
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From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
oil-lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
partition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
propped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
rafter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
ray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
revealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
seaman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
sensesplural nounUS /ˈsɛnsɪz/
powers of perception and awareness
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
silently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
Simon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
stool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the other stool opposite me and beside the chest, sat Simon Colliver, silently eyeing me.
stools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
TELLS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its faint ray just revealed the furniture of the room, which consisted of a seaman's chest standing in the middle, and two gaunt stools.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On one of these I was seated, propped against the cabin wall, or rather partition, and as I attempted to move I learnt that I was bound hand and foot.
WHATpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading TELLS IN WHAT MANNER I LEARNT THE SECRET OF THE GREAT KEY.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As my senses came gradually back I could distinguish a narrow, dingy cabin, dimly lit by one flickering oil-lamp which swung from a rafter above.
