aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
alternatelyadverbUS /ˈɔːltərnətli/
in an alternating sequence or position
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
animatedadjectiveUS /ˈænəmeɪtɪd/
having life or vigor or spirit
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
atmospherenounUS /ˈætməsfɪr/
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
bednounUS /bed/
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
blackestadjectiveUS /ˈblækəst/
superlative of “black” — being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
burdenedadjectiveUS /ˈbɜːrdənd/
bearing a heavy burden of work or difficulties or responsibilities
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
buriedadjectiveUS /ˈberid/
placed in a grave
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
burstverbUS /bɜːrst/
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
bushnounUS /bʊʃ/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
casenounUS /keɪs/
an occurrence of something
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
cursedadjectiveUS /kɜːrst/
deserving a curse; sometimes used as an intensifier
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
destroyedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstrɔɪd/
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
dreamlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
EreconjunctionUS /er/
an old word for “before”
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
eventsnounUS /ɪˈvents/
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
familynounUS /ˈfæməli/
a social unit living together
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
Frauenthor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
garretnounUS /ˈɡerɪt/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
gatheredadjectiveUS /ˈɡæðərd/
brought together in one place
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
heartsnounUS /hɑːrts/
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
heavilyadverbUS /ˈhevəli/
to a considerable degree
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
Katterle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/
supporting yourself on your knees
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
labournounUS /ˈleɪbər/
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
maidsnounUS /meɪdz/
plural of “maid” — a female domestic
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
masternounUS /ˈmæstər/
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
mouthsnounUS /maʊðz/
plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
occupiedadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
held or filled or in use
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
Ortlieb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
outsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
peacenounUS /piːs/
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
prayedverbUS /preɪd/
past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
quietlyadverbUS /ˈkwaɪətli/
with low volume
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
recklessnessnounUS /ˈrekləsnəs/
the trait of giving little thought to danger
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
roofnounUS /ruːf/
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
roomsnounUS /ruːmz/
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/
plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
sleptverbUS /slept/
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
snored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
sobbedverbUS /sɑːbd/
inflected form of “sob” — weep convulsively
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
stairsnounUS /sterz/
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
SwissnounUS /swɪs/
the natives or inhabitants of Switzerland
From this reading The Swiss, kneeling before it with her face buried in the coarse linen pillow case, alternately sobbed, prayed, and cursed herself and her recklessness.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
thunderclouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The thunderclouds had gathered in the blackest masses above the Frauenthor and the Ortlieb mansion.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
treenounUS /triː/
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
unconsciousadjectiveUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəs/
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
unoccupiedadjectiveUS /əˈnɑːkjəpaɪd/
not held or filled or in use
From this reading The only bed unoccupied was the one in the little room next to the stairs leading to the garret, which was occupied by Katterle.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
weighedverbUS /weɪd/
past form of “weigh” — have a certain weight
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the servants' rooms under the roof the maids slept quietly and dreamlessly; and the men, with their mouths wide open, snored after the labour of the day, unconscious of what was passing outside in the sky or the events within which had destroyed the peace of their master and his family.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Ere the storm burst the oppressive atmosphere had burdened the hearts within as heavily as it weighed outside upon tree, bush, and all animated creation.