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 THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
airy
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From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
brightly
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From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
building
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From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
centuries
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From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
chests
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From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
compound
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From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
couchers
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From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
din
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From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
Dingle
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From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
eight
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From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
electric
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From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
elevated
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From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
engines
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From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
enough
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From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
familiar
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From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
fat
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From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
flowed
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From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
gasometers
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From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
gruel-like
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From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
hall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
hanging
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From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
huge
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From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
largest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
LETTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
lights
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From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
liquid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
lofty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
many
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From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
material
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
Mill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
monsters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
Ned
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From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
noisy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
perfected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
pounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
pulp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
range
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
ranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
riot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
wealth or financial means
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
tenuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
throb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
transformation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
vat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER In the vat house there took place the transformation from liquid to solid, from pulp to paper, from a gruel-like, tenuous compound to a substance strong enough to stand strain of many pounds and last for centuries.
vatmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
vats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were eight of these fat monsters ranged in a row, and from them flowed the material to the vats as it was needed.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
vessels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To the right, elevated under the roof, stood the range of chests—huge, round vessels, like little gasometers, into which the pulp descended from Ned Dingle when he had perfected it.
whirr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A steady whirr and throb of noisy engines made a din here, but the vatmen and their couchers were used to it and could hear themselves speak through the familiar riot.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Here was the largest building in the Mill—a very lofty, brightly lighted, airy hall, from whose open roof descended electric lights hanging above each vat.
