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 It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
angle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
bulky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
columns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
connecting-rod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
cranks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
crosshead
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From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
cut
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From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
cylinders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
engine-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
ever-changing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
FIRSTnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
flashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
floor-plates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
glimmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
groaned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
lamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
Overhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
played
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
propeller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
push
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
reflected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
semicircle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
shake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
shallow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
skylights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
slanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
spun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
STRUGGLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
swiveled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
throbbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
thrust-blocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
twinkling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
valve-gear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
