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 When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
atop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Sit thou still, Thumbling,’ I said as it made to get up and run away.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
beady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
beard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
brass-studded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
Chubara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
coloursnounUS /ˈcolours/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
credited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
crept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
Evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
Eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
folds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
friendly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Sit thou still, Thumbling,’ I said as it made to get up and run away.
Gobind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
horrible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
ill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
inviting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘Sit thou still, Thumbling,’ I said as it made to get up and run away.
leather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
lifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
looks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
nest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
quilt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Sit thou still, Thumbling,’ I said as it made to get up and run away.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
shaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
Sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Sit thou still, Thumbling,’ I said as it made to get up and run away.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
squirrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Sit thou still, Thumbling,’ I said as it made to get up and run away.
tattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading ‘Sit thou still, Thumbling,’ I said as it made to get up and run away.
Thumbling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Sit thou still, Thumbling,’ I said as it made to get up and run away.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
tobacconounUS /ˈtobacco/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
tuft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Sit thou still, Thumbling,’ I said as it made to get up and run away.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gobind lifted an arm under his vast tattered quilt of many colours, and made an inviting little nest by his side.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
waterpipe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading When I came to the Chubara the shaven head with the tuft atop, and the beady black eyes looked out of the folds of the quilt as a squirrel looks out from his nest, and Gobind was smiling while the child played with his beard.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The child crept in, and Gobind filled his brass-studded leather waterpipe with the new tobacco.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I would have said something friendly, but remembered in time that if the child fell ill afterwards I should be credited with the Evil Eye, and that is a horrible possession.
