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 Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
agility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
all
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From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
almost
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From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
away
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From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
Betty
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From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
chair
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From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
challenging
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From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
clattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
cut
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From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
cynical
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From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
dainties
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From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
drawling
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From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
eh
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From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
electric
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
exultation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
FourthnounUS /fourth/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
gaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
grip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
hearth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
herspronounUS /hərz/
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
hiding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
insolent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
keen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
LittlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "So, Little Mouse!
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
malign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
Mouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So, Little Mouse!
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
nibble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
Pew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
relax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
rigid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
sleeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
torch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
tortured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
transfixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
venture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
viselike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading _The Fourth Pew._ For a long moment Betty stood transfixed with the electric torch rigid in her hand and her eyes held by the insolent challenging ones so near hers.
wrenched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then with an almost physical effort she wrenched her gaze away just as his cynical voice, drawling no longer, but keen with malign exultation, cut the silence like a knife thrust.
wrist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sprang from his chair with the agility of a cat and seized her wrist in a viselike grip which forced her tortured fingers to relax their hold and the torch clattered to the hearth.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You venture forth from your hiding place at night when all are sleeping, to nibble at forbidden dainties, eh?"
