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 And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
accents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
anguish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
bay-window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
befallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
beheld
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
blackness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
butterfly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
captive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
chokingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃoʊ.kɪŋ/
Causing difficulty in breathing.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
crying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
dared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XVIII For some moments the young man dared not move.
deadly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
degrees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
dress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
exquisite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
faint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
fairy-lady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
flutteringverbUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
moving with quick light beats or trembles
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading XVIII For some moments the young man dared not move.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
ghostly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
glimmering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
illusory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
Laurence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
lungs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XVIII For some moments the young man dared not move.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XVIII For some moments the young man dared not move.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XVIII For some moments the young man dared not move.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading XVIII For some moments the young man dared not move.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
palm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
perceptible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
pulsation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
realised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
ribs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
rose-red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
sensations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
shattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
silken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
slender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
speaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
tremulous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the dim light before night or sunrise
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
up-rush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And out of the blackness a sweet voice, speaking as from some far distance, answered, crying--"Laurence, Laurence"--in accents of tremulous but very exquisite joy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The anguish of his shattered ribs, the choking up-rush of blood from his lungs, was so present to him, that he turned deadly faint.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading By degrees he realised that all these sensations were illusory; or rather memory of that which had, long ago, befallen him.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Then within his palm he felt once more that just perceptible pulsation, as of the fluttering wings of a captive butterfly; while, in the ghostly twilight still glimmering in through the great bay-window, he beheld the slender form and rose-red, silken dress of his sweet fairy-lady, there, close at his side.
XVIII
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XVIII For some moments the young man dared not move.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XVIII For some moments the young man dared not move.
