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 He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
aisle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
aisles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far off, in the almost empty nave, an ecclesiastic was preaching.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
altar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Far off, in the almost empty nave, an ecclesiastic was preaching.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
apart
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From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
chide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
choir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
chose
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From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
Durtal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
ecclesiastic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far off, in the almost empty nave, an ecclesiastic was preaching.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
evening
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From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
examine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
Far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far off, in the almost empty nave, an ecclesiastic was preaching.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
ill-lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
lamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
nave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
November
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
Octave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far off, in the almost empty nave, an ecclesiastic was preaching.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
organ
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
preaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far off, in the almost empty nave, an ecclesiastic was preaching.
Rue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Durtal sat down behind the high altar, on the left, in the aisle along the Rue de St. Sulpice; the lamps of the choir organ were lighted.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
Souls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
Sulpice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
ugliness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
vaulting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He often chose to turn into that church, because there was a trained choir, and because he could there examine himself at peace, apart from the crowd.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The ugliness of the nave, with its heavy vaulting, vanished at night, the aisles were often empty, it was ill-lighted by a few lamps--it was possible for a man to chide his soul in secret, as if at home.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading During the first week in November, the week within the Octave of All Souls, Durtal entered St. Sulpice, at eight o'clock in the evening.
