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 That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
according
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
becoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip Sterling's circumstances were becoming straightened.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
calculations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
carry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
circumstances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip Sterling's circumstances were becoming straightened.
coal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
considerably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
crossing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
diminished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
entering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
estimating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
gloomy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prospect was gloomy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
labor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
mistake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
Philip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip Sterling's circumstances were becoming straightened.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
progressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
promise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
prospect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The prospect was gloomy.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
search
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
siege
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
Sterling's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip Sterling's circumstances were becoming straightened.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
straightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Philip Sterling's circumstances were becoming straightened.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The prospect was gloomy.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
tunnel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
ultimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
undeniable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
unproductive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
valley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
vein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
ventured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes he ventured to hope that he had made a mistake in estimating the direction which the vein should naturally take after crossing the valley and entering the hill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The prospect was gloomy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Philip Sterling's circumstances were becoming straightened.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His long siege of unproductive labor was beginning to tell upon his spirits; but what told still more upon them was the undeniable fact that the promise of ultimate success diminished every day, now.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That is to say, the tunnel had reached a point in the hill which was considerably beyond where the coal vein should pass (according to all his calculations) if there were a coal vein there; and so, every foot that the tunnel now progressed seemed to carry it further away from the object of the search.
