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 Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
activity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
address
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From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
all
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From this reading This is the most perfect of them all; not a speck of blight or mildew in it.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “There will be but five or six on the bush this season.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
blight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the most perfect of them all; not a speck of blight or mildew in it.
bush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There will be but five or six on the bush this season.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “There will be but five or six on the bush this season.
cavernnounUS /ˈkæv.ərn/
A large, vast underground cave, often filled with forgotten ancient treasures.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
choosing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
crimson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
darkened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
depths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
dungeon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
expression
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From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
farther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There will be but five or six on the bush this season.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
grates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
lessening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
mildew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the most perfect of them all; not a speck of blight or mildew in it.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the most perfect of them all; not a speck of blight or mildew in it.
moved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This is the most perfect of them all; not a speck of blight or mildew in it.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “There will be but five or six on the bush this season.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the most perfect of them all; not a speck of blight or mildew in it.
Phœbe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
prison-window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
quickness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
refrained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There will be but five or six on the bush this season.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
sinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There will be but five or six on the bush this season.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
speck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is the most perfect of them all; not a speck of blight or mildew in it.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
taking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
temperament
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading This is the most perfect of them all; not a speck of blight or mildew in it.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
vase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then his face darkened, as if the shadow of a cavern or a dungeon had come over it; there was no more light in its expression than might have come through the iron grates of a prison-window—still lessening, too, as if he were sinking farther into the depths.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Phœbe (being of that quickness and activity of temperament that she seldom long refrained from taking a part, and generally a good one, in what was going forward) now felt herself moved to address the stranger.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Here is a new kind of rose, which I found this morning in the garden,” said she, choosing a small crimson one from among the flowers in the vase.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “There will be but five or six on the bush this season.
