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 With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
aching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
aloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
anguish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
ankle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
ANXIOUS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANXIOUS HOURS.
attempts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
Believing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
captive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
cave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
chain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
cleared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
Cleveland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
clings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
descend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
desirable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
desisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
dragged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
entrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
evidence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
feared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
Horace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
HOURS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANXIOUS HOURS.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
hurt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
leaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
limbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
oak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
offered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
overheardnounUS /ˈoverheard/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
rested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
robbersnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/
Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
roots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
rude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
sensesplural nounUS /ˈsɛnsɪz/
powers of perception and awareness
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
severely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
space
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
unhappy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
unwilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here Horace Cleveland rested his aching limbs, and leaning his head on his hands, gave himself up to anxious thought.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Believing against the evidence of his senses that what was so desirable could not be impossible, Horace only desisted from attempts to descend the rocks, when, in making them, he had hurt his ankle so severely that he would have cried aloud with anguish had he not feared that the sound might be overheard by the robbers.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With a very heavy heart, the unhappy captive then dragged his chain to a little cleared space, a few yards higher than the entrance to the cave, where the roots of an oak offered a rude seat.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How unwilling is youth to part with hope—how it clings even to its shadow!
