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 unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
accustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
actually
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From this reading Now I have actually seen one with my own eyes.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
approached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
bench
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
closer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
cooler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
deliver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
door-keeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I have actually seen one with my own eyes.
feathers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Now I have actually seen one with my own eyes.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
hell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
Hermas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Now I have actually seen one with my own eyes.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
night-air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Now I have actually seen one with my own eyes.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I have actually seen one with my own eyes.
Paulus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
Petrus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
rag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
rousing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
sack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now I have actually seen one with my own eyes.
senator's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
sheepskin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
shiver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
shivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
shrank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
sleepers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
tattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In his hand he held the key of the church, which he had promised the door-keeper to deliver to Petrus; but all was so still in the senator's house, that he shrank from rousing the sleepers.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
threadbare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
tunic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
unfortunate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
wander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
warmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
warmth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What a strange night this has been!" he muttered to himself, as he drew his short and tattered tunic closer together.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The unfortunate Paulus sat on a stone bench in front of the senator's door, and shivered; for, as dawn approached, the night-air grew cooler, and he was accustomed to the warmth of the sheepskin, which he had now given to Hermas.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now I have actually seen one with my own eyes.
wrap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Even if it were warmer, and if, instead of this threadbare rag, I had a sack of feathers to wrap myself in, still I should feel a cold shiver if the spirits of hell that wander about here were to meet me again.
