Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
1836
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
Annie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
bells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
blankness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
Church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
contrast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
Day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
Death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
desolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
faint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
far-away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
forgive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
gives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
glazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
God
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading May God forgive me!"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
Leigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading May God forgive me!"
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading May God forgive me!"
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
motion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
poignancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
ringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
Rochdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
sorrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
stooped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
utter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading James Leigh died just as the far-away bells of Rochdale Church were ringing for morning service on Christmas Day, 1836.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Death is present in a household on a Christmas Day, the very contrast between the time as it now is, and the day as it has often been, gives a poignancy to sorrow--a more utter blankness to the desolation.
whisper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She stooped close down, and caught the broken whisper, "I forgive her, Annie!
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading A few minutes before his death, he opened his already glazing eyes, and made a sign to his wife, by the faint motion of his lips, that he had yet something to say.
