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 It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
braced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
clutched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
dragged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
equilibrium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
gripped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
harder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
horrible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
immensity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
lurched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
metallic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
pulsing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
sinew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
strained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
strangle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
throbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
thumbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He lurched to the left, and I swung out into immensity, carried on his back.
tower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
trembled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
vibrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed that the whole tower trembled, vibrated in a horrible, metallic music.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was sure it was the end, that I should be flung off into space, when with one arm he gripped the gate, braced all his great strength and slowly dragged us back into equilibrium.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was nothing else in the world now but myself and him and I ground my teeth and clutched harder.
wrist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I pressed down my thumbs, I strained every sinew of my wrist and arm in the strangle hold, and I felt the life pulsing out of him in steady throbs.
