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 In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
additional
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
bare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
begins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
borne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To be sure, the hitch never has occurred, but what if it should?
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
cause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
confess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
Conscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
contingency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
endurance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
exists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
experiencing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
extraordinarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
extremes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
forcibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To be sure, the hitch never has occurred, but what if it should?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
helplessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
hitch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading To be sure, the hitch never has occurred, but what if it should?
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To be sure, the hitch never has occurred, but what if it should?
limit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
mankind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
mercury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be sure, the hitch never has occurred, but what if it should?
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be sure, the hitch never has occurred, but what if it should?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
peculiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
rise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading To be sure, the hitch never has occurred, but what if it should?
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
sufferance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To be sure, the hitch never has occurred, but what if it should?
temperature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
trifling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
uneasiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
universe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
unpleasant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Conscious that I have about reached the limit of my own endurance, the thought of the bare contingency is unpleasant enough to cause a feeling of relief, not altogether physical, when the rising or falling mercury begins to turn.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
vague
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To be sure, the hitch never has occurred, but what if it should?
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
wholly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The consciousness how wholly by sufferance it is that man exists at all on the earth is rather forcibly borne in upon the mind at such times.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the extremes of winter and summer, when the weather is either extraordinarily cold or hot, I confess to experiencing a peculiar sense of helplessness and vague uneasiness.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I have a feeling that a trifling additional rise or fall of temperature, such as might be caused by any slight hitch in the machinery of the universe, would quite crowd mankind out of existence.
