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 The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "What a power of prayer he has," thought he, as he looked at the old man.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "What a power of prayer he has," thought he, as he looked at the old man.
attained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
Brother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
brothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
chapel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
clinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
docile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
dunghill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
Durtal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
earlier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What a power of prayer he has," thought he, as he looked at the old man.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
holy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
invisible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What a power of prayer he has," thought he, as he looked at the old man.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
Matins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a power of prayer he has," thought he, as he looked at the old man.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
penetrate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a power of prayer he has," thought he, as he looked at the old man.
prayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a power of prayer he has," thought he, as he looked at the old man.
praying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
rampart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
representing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
Rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
sanctuarynounUS /ˈsæŋk.tʃu.er.i/
A place of safety, refuge, or holy retreat within the academy.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
Simeon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
succeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
swine-herd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sight of this holy swine-herd threw Durtal into a long train of thought.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What a power of prayer he has," thought he, as he looked at the old man.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He tried in vain to penetrate into the sanctuary of that soul, hidden like an invisible chapel behind the dunghill rampart of a body; he did not even succeed in representing to himself the docile and clinging soul of this man, who had attained the highest state to which the human creature can reach here below.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The office of Matins was over, but some lay brothers, amongst whom was Brother Simeon, were praying on their knees on the ground.
wont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rising, somewhat earlier than his wont, Durtal went down to the chapel.
