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 A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
act
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From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
air
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From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
all
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From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
amazement
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From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I reached the parlor floor Nixon came out of the reception-room.
bad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
Bess
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From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
bit
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From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
box
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From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
breakfast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
breath
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From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
came
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From this reading As I reached the parlor floor Nixon came out of the reception-room.
clear
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From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
conspicuously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
decisive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
disturbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
doubtless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
down
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From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
exclaimed
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From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
failed
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From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I reached the parlor floor Nixon came out of the reception-room.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
freshen
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From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
jacket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
moving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
Nixon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I reached the parlor floor Nixon came out of the reception-room.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I reached the parlor floor Nixon came out of the reception-room.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
an old-fashioned sitting room
From this reading As I reached the parlor floor Nixon came out of the reception-room.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I reached the parlor floor Nixon came out of the reception-room.
reception-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I reached the parlor floor Nixon came out of the reception-room.
refresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Oh, Miss!” he exclaimed, “going out?” surprised, doubtless, to see me in my hat and jacket.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “A few steps,” I answered, and then stopped, not a little disturbed; for in moving to open the door he had discovered that the key was not in it and was showing his amazement somewhat conspicuously.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bess must have her box and I a breath of fresh air before breakfast, to freshen me up a bit and clear my mind for the decisive act, since my broken rest had failed to refresh me.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A bad night, a very bad night, but for all that I was down early the next morning.
