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 Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
accustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
adjoining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
animal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
attempting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
beast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
bed-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
chamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
closet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
confined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
dangerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
ferocious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
fiercest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
frolic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
key-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
lathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
looking-glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
loss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
moods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
murder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
occupying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
Ourang-Outang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
previously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
Razor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
resorted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
Returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
sailors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
securely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
shaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
TerrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
extremely frightened
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
thenceadverbUS /ðens/
from that place or that time
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
unfortunately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
UponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Razor in hand, and fully lathered, it was sitting before a looking-glass, attempting the operation of shaving, in which it had no doubt previously watched its master through the key-hole of the closet.
weapon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Terrified at the sight of so dangerous a weapon in the possession of an animal so ferocious, and so well able to use it, the man, for some moments, was at a loss what to do.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Returning home from some sailors’ frolic the night, or rather in the morning of the murder, he found the beast occupying his own bed-room, into which it had broken from a closet adjoining, where it had been, as was thought, securely confined.
whip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been accustomed, however, to quiet the creature, even in its fiercest moods, by the use of a whip, and to this he now resorted.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Upon sight of it, the Ourang-Outang sprang at once through the door of the chamber, down the stairs, and thence, through a window, unfortunately open, into the street.
