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 I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
alarmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
breaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So it was with David's business.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
calamity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
comes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
consummation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
dangerouslyadverbUS /ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs.li/
In a way that involves danger or risk.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
David's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
embarrassed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
gets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
marriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
moves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
nightsnounUS /naɪts/
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
preparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
ruin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
string
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
tension
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading But things did not come to this pass all at once; few men take the steps towards ruin so rapidly as to be themselves alarmed by it.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A calamity through nights and days moves slowly towards us step by step, and then some hour it has come.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
weaker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I say "suddenly" here, because the consummation of evil that has been long preparing comes at last in a moment; a string holding a picture gets weaker and weaker through weeks of tension, and then breaks.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading So it was with David's business.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was nearly seven years after his marriage when the fact that he was in dangerously embarrassed circumstances forced itself suddenly on David's mind.
