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 He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
Alan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
back
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From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
bend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?
Chugach
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From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
creek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.
died
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From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
elder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
gleaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
Holt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
import
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
infinity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
Kenai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
mighty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
miracle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
overlooking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
peaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
presence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
ranges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?
sun-filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
twelfth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.
Twenty-seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
Unnumbered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
uplift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
valley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Twenty-seven years ago the twelfth day of last month, mother went with me through this valley, Alan.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Unnumbered times he had seen the miracle of her presence in his father’s eyes, and once, when they had stood overlooking a sun-filled valley back in the mountains, the elder Holt had said:
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
a wild area where few people live
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading This first night and dawn in the heard of his wilderness, with the new import of life gleaming down at him from the mighty peaks of the Chugach and Kenai ranges, marked the beginning of that uplift which drew Alan out of the pit into which he had fallen.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
worshiped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He understood, now, how it was that through many long years his father had worshiped the memory of a woman who had died, it seemed to him, an infinity ago.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Do you see the little bend in the creek, with the great rock in the sun?
