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 Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
abode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
advanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
ages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
alleged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
aspect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
asseguy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
Benin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
breast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
captured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
casting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
chestnuts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
conciliate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
dedicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
description
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
DEVIL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WOOD OF THE DEVIL.
doomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
female
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
fetish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
friend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
giant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
holy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
hostile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
infant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
inmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
instances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
leagues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
lime
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
Making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WOOD OF THE DEVIL.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
orange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
palm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
placing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
propitiate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
quaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
ransom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
rare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
recesses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
resolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
sacrificed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
sanctity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
savages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
signs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
skirts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
slave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WOOD OF THE DEVIL.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
tortures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
tribe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
violated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here then, on its skirts, a mother and her infant were sometimes sacrificed with tortures too terrible for description, to propitiate this dark spirit; though in some rare instances a husband might ransom his doomed wife with a poor female slave, captured from a hostile tribe.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No one entered this wood, which was composed of giant chestnuts, palm, orange, and lime trees, all growing wild for many leagues, as the spirit of evil was alleged to harbour in its inmost recesses.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Making signs that I was a friend, or wished to be considered one, by casting away my asseguy, and placing my hands upon my head and breast, I advanced with a resolute aspect, but with a quaking heart, towards them.
WOOD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WOOD OF THE DEVIL.
worship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By what I heard then, and learned afterwards, I had violated the sanctity of a holy place--the abode of a fetish--as this wood had for ages been dedicated to the Devil, whom these savages, like those of Benin, worship as a dreadful spirit, not to love, but to conciliate.
