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 “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
admittance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading DAN reassured his mother as well as he could.
ascending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
belated
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From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
chattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading DAN reassured his mother as well as he could.
DAN
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From this reading DAN reassured his mother as well as he could.
decided
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From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
demanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
fit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
garments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
guess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DAN reassured his mother as well as he could.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
Henry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DAN reassured his mother as well as he could.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
knocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
locked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
loudly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DAN reassured his mother as well as he could.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
nerves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
obtaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
Oliphant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
pajamas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
profound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
reassuredverbUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/
made less worried or afraid
From this reading DAN reassured his mother as well as he could.
removed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
repeatedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
response
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
retiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The father knocked repeatedly but not loudly, demanding admittance and obtaining the response of a profound silence.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
sodden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
son's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
unresponsive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Only a fit of nerves;—too much music, I guess,” he said; and, returning to his son’s door, found it locked and Henry as unresponsive as the door.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He removed his cold and sodden garments; but his bed seemed as cold as his clothes; so he got up, put a dressing-gown over his pajamas, and again tried to sleep.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DAN reassured his mother as well as he could.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then, as he heard Mrs. Oliphant slowly ascending the stairs to her belated bed, he decided to keep out of her way until he had better composed himself, and, retiring to his own room, discovered that his teeth were chattering.
