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 She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
Arthur
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From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
ascended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
banister
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From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
blurt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
brave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
carry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
conceive
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From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
courage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
forlorn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
frightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
girl's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
hopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
horribly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
Josina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
Monday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
mounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
shaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
shallow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
shook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Before now the knees of brave men, going on forlorn hopes, have shaken under them, but, like these men, Josina went on, she ascended step by step.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
trembled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
vownounUS /vaʊ/
a serious promise
From this reading She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading An hour after Arthur had left the house on the Monday morning Josina went slowly up the stairs to her father’s room.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she would carry it out, how she would find words to blurt out the truth, how she would have the courage to live through that which would follow, she did not know, she could not conceive.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She was frightened, she was horribly frightened, but she had made a vow to herself and she would carry it out.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was young and the stairs were shallow, but the girl’s knees shook under her as she mounted them, as she mounted them one by one, while her hand trembled on the banister.
