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 WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
ascended
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From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
back
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From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
baneful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
bare
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From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
bear
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From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
Breathes
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From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
bustles
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From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
carpets
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From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
chair
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From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
cold
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From this reading It was intensely cold.
comfortless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
curtains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
dire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
displaces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
enforce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
Erichtho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
exults
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
Florence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
go
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From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
groan
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From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
hasty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
horror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
housekeeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
intensely
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From this reading It was intensely cold.
interview
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was intensely cold.
Lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
lonely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
Maltravers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
MARLOWE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
murmurs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
owner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
Place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
precaution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
proffered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
provident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
rights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
Seamore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
secrets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
sink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
suppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During his long interview with Lady Florence, his servant had taken the precaution to go to Seamore Place, and make some hasty preparations for the owner’s return.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was intensely cold.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Erichtho, then, Breathes her dire murmurs, which enforce him bear Her baneful secrets to the spirits of horror.”--MARLOWE.
WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading WITH a heavy step Maltravers ascended the stairs of his lonely house that night, and heavily, with a suppressed groan, did he sink upon the first chair that proffered rest.
wonderfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the bedroom looked comfortless and bare, the curtains were taken down, the carpets were taken up (a single man’s housekeeper is wonderfully provident in these matters; the moment his back is turned, she bustles, she displaces, she exults; “things can be put a little to rights!”).
