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 Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
agonynounUS /ˈæɡ.ə.ni/
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
contesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
convulsions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
counted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
DELIRIUM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DELIRIUM OF STARVATION.
Den-Brao
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
entering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
expiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
fastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
Gervaise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
Gregory's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
heart-rending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
hearth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
hurried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
hut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
inanition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
jacket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
Julyan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
mason's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DELIRIUM OF STARVATION.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
pallet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
resinous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
spectacle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
spoils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
STARVATION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DELIRIUM OF STARVATION.
straw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
Stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
tavern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DELIRIUM OF STARVATION.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
Too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
torch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His wife, Gervaise, so thin that the bones of her face could be counted, was on her knees near a straw pallet where Julyan lay in convulsions.
wished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretched out near the hearth lay Den-Brao, his face covered by his mason's jacket; himself expiring of inanition, he wished to escape the sight of the agony of his family.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On entering, a torch of resinous wood, fastened near the wall by an iron ring, lighted a heart-rending spectacle.
Yvon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Too old a man to think of contesting the spoils for which he had returned to Gregory's tavern, Yvon hurried back home and reached his hut towards midnight.