adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
butcher'snounUS /ˈbʊtʃərz/
possessive form of “butcher” — a retailer of meat
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
digressionnounUS /daɪˈɡreʃən/
a message that departs from the main subject
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
earthenwarenounUS /ˈɜːrθənwer/
ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
exactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
fuelverbUS /ˈfjuːəl/
provide with a combustible substance that provides energy
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
glownounUS /ɡloʊ/
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
handlesnounUS /ˈhændəlz/
plural of “handle” — the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
happenedverbUS /ˈhæpənd/
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
hollowedverbUS /ˈhɑːloʊd/
past form of “hollow” — remove the inner part or the core of
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
movementnounUS /ˈmuːvmənt/
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
necessaryadjectiveUS /ˈnesəseri/
absolutely essential
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
NobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading Nobody spoke a word.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
passingnounUS /ˈpæsɪŋ/
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
periodicalnounUS /ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkəl/
a publication that appears at fixed intervals
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
spacenounUS /speɪs/
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Nobody spoke a word.
staringadjectiveUS /ˈsterɪŋ/
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
throwverbUS /θroʊ/
propel through the air
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
thrownadjectiveUS /θroʊn/
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
vasenounUS /veɪs/
an open jar of glass or porcelain used as an ornament or to hold flowers
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is a digression at a critical moment, but it is not too long for the occasion, for the occasion itself was very long.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There we all sat in perfect silence, staring at the glare and glow of the large fire, and at the shadows thrown by the flickering earthenware lamps (which, by the way, were not ancient).
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the exception of the periodical passing of the vase, and the movement necessary to throw fuel on to the fire, nothing happened for the best part of a whole hour.
woodenadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdən/
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading On the open space between us and the fire lay a large wooden tray, with four short handles to it, exactly like a butcher’s tray, only not hollowed out.
wordnounUS /wɜːrd/
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Nobody spoke a word.
