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 Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
absolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
Andy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
arch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
blank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
climax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
commencing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
confidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
earnestly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
engaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was engaged in a methodical, scientific, reprehensibly soul-satisfying period of swearing.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
fluency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
hotly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
instinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
intonation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
jolt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
kicked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
lids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
majestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
methodical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was engaged in a methodical, scientific, reprehensibly soul-satisfying period of swearing.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
Milton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
movements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
obey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
pausing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
period
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was engaged in a methodical, scientific, reprehensibly soul-satisfying period of swearing.
pinioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
poetry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
pull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
reality
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
repeating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
reprehensibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was engaged in a methodical, scientific, reprehensibly soul-satisfying period of swearing.
rhetorical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
rhythmic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
rolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
scientific
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was engaged in a methodical, scientific, reprehensibly soul-satisfying period of swearing.
shine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
soul-satisfying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was engaged in a methodical, scientific, reprehensibly soul-satisfying period of swearing.
sounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
staring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay absolutely quiet for at least five minutes, staring up at the brilliant blue arch above him.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
surprising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
swearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy was engaged in a methodical, scientific, reprehensibly soul-satisfying period of swearing.
sweeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
tightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
verse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then he began to speak rapidly and earnestly; a man just close enough to hear his voice sweeping up to a certain rhetorical climax, pausing there and commencing again with a rhythmic fluency of intonation, might have thought that he was repeating poetry; indeed, it sounded like some of Milton's majestic blank verse, but it was not.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is surprising to a man to discover suddenly just how important a part his arms play in the most simple of body movements; Andy, with his arms pinioned tightly the whole length of them, rolled over on his face, kicked a good deal, and rolled back again, but he did not sit up, as he had confidently expected to do.
wiggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Andy, only half awake, tried to obey both instinct and habit and reach up to pull his hat down over his eyes, so that the sun could not shine upon his lids so hotly; when he discovered that he could do no more than wiggle his fingers, he came back with a jolt to reality and tried to sit up.
