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 Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
asthmatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
BesidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
boarders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
brother-in-law
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
Browning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin placed the Swinburne and Browning on the chair, took off his coat, and sat down on the bed.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin placed the Swinburne and Browning on the chair, took off his coat, and sat down on the bed.
contact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
crawling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
cubbyhole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin placed the Swinburne and Browning on the chair, took off his coat, and sat down on the bed.
Eden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
enabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
greeted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
Higginbotham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
Martin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
notice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin placed the Swinburne and Browning on the chair, took off his coat, and sat down on the bed.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Martin placed the Swinburne and Browning on the chair, took off his coat, and sat down on the bed.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin placed the Swinburne and Browning on the chair, took off his coat, and sat down on the bed.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin placed the Swinburne and Browning on the chair, took off his coat, and sat down on the bed.
screeching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
servant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
servant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
springs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
Swinburne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin placed the Swinburne and Browning on the chair, took off his coat, and sat down on the bed.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
thrifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
tiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Martin placed the Swinburne and Browning on the chair, took off his coat, and sat down on the bed.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, the servant’s room enabled them to take in two boarders instead of one.
unlighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
wash-stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
weight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A screeching of asthmatic springs greeted the weight of his body, but he did not notice them.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Martin Eden, with blood still crawling from contact with his brother-in-law, felt his way along the unlighted back hall and entered his room, a tiny cubbyhole with space for a bed, a wash-stand, and one chair.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Higginbotham was too thrifty to keep a servant when his wife could do the work.
