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 During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
Brooks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
Colton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
comes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
condemned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
deadened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
deeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
Despair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspəʊzd/
left open to danger or view left open to danger or public view
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
extract
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
feed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
gallows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
gayety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
imprisonment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
killed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
lightsome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
maintained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
murderer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
nerve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
philosophynounUS /fɪˈlɑː.sə.fi/
The study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. (Triết học, đạo lý nhân sinh.)
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
resignation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
self-hypnotism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
terror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Despair has killed the nerve that fear exposed, and nothing is left for terror to feed on.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE VERDICT.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But Brooks had not this deadened resignation, for he had a hope that he might escape the gallows, and so long as there is a hope there is an anxiety.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
trial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
VERDICT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE VERDICT.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading To one who has been condemned to death there comes a resignation that is deeper than a philosophy.
wretchedness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the first few weeks of his imprisonment, the murderer of old man Colton had maintained a lightsome air, but as the time for his trial drew near he appeared to lose the command of that self-hypnotism which had seemed to extract gayety from wretchedness.
