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 For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
Anderson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
baby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
chip-chip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
chipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
deadly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
dubiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
fashion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
gray-haired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
grounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
information
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
locked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
mallet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
marble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
mechanical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
mound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
neighbor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
shaft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
shook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
slender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
societies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
spoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
spoken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
tap-tap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
volunteered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
vouchsafed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
wa'n't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes far into the night they heard the tap-tap of his mallet as he chipped away, bit by bit, on a slender shaft of white marble, until more than one man in those days shook his head dubiously and vouchsafed his neighbor the information that John Anderson "wa'n't quite right."
white-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the month that followed that night hardly a person in the village heard a word pass his lips, except, perhaps, those members of the church societies who had volunteered to help care for the baby.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He locked himself up in the small shop which occupied the back room of the house and day after day he worked there alone in a deadly quiet, strangely mechanical fashion.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a year or more it was like that, and then the day came which, with dawn, found John Anderson changed into a gray-haired, white-faced man, whose eyes always seemed to be looking beyond one, and who spoke but seldom, even when he was spoken to.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading A month passed during which the steady chip-chip scarcely ever ceased; and yet, when the work was finally finished and set up over the fresh little mound in the grounds behind the church, and they came to stand before it, they found nothing ready for them to say.