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 interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
ACT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST ACT.
actors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
auditorium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The auditorium was as near a scene of enchantment as tallow-candles could make it.
barrel-hoop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
boards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
bottle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
breathless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
cast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
chandeliers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
conscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
costume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The auditorium was as near a scene of enchantment as tallow-candles could make it.
crevice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
Dickey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
discomfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
display
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
enchantmentnounUS /ɪnˈtʃæntmənt/
a magic spell or the state caused by one
From this reading The auditorium was as near a scene of enchantment as tallow-candles could make it.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
expectancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
filed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
FIRSTnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE FIRST ACT.
flared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
flickered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
foot-lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
forgot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
genius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
illumine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
interest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The auditorium was as near a scene of enchantment as tallow-candles could make it.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
Macbeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The auditorium was as near a scene of enchantment as tallow-candles could make it.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
noble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
patrons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
rush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The auditorium was as near a scene of enchantment as tallow-candles could make it.
scenes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
talent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
tallow-candles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The auditorium was as near a scene of enchantment as tallow-candles could make it.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST ACT.
theatre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
tramping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The interest was so great that even Dickey forgot the discomfort of his Macbeth costume, and stood as near a crevice in the boards as possible, to see their patrons as they filed into the hall.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
witness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The noble company of actors stood in breathless expectancy behind the scenes of their theatre, waiting for the sound of tramping feet that should tell of the rush of the public to witness their genius, as shown in this particular line of business.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The twelve bottle foot-lights flared and flickered as if they were conscious of the wonderful display of talent they were there to illumine, while the barrel-hoop chandeliers cast even a more brilliant light than one would have supposed.
