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 Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
AgainstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
blood-hound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
capitals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
comfortably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
Corinthian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
crowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
dog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
downwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
Emperor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
extended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
extent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
finished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
flecked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
gilt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
Hadrian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
pillar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
pleasednounUS /ˈpleased/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
porphyry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
prompt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
reddish-brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
refresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
spans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
stroking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
sufficed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
terrors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hadrian had slept most comfortably; only a few hours it is true, but they had sufficed to refresh his spirit.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
vigorous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
watchfulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What did he care for the terrors the dog might have caused a mere girl?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Against one of these the Emperor was leaning stroking the blood-hound, whose prompt and vigorous watchfulness had pleased him greatly.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was now in his sitting-room and had gone to the window, which took up more than half the extent of the long west wall of the room, and opened on the sea.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The wide opening, which extended downwards to within a few spans of the floor, was finished at either side by a tall pillar of fine reddish-brown porphyry, flecked with white, and crowned with gilt Corinthian capitals.
