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 The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
accompanied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
agility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
Ancenis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
bend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
build
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
cries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
deputy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
echoed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
Immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
Inspector
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
lifeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
Mazeroux
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
narrower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
pistol
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
Police
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
Prefect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
rushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
shots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
staggering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
steeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
Tearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the stairs lay another body, lifeless, that of Chief Inspector Ancenis.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
upstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Tearing upstairs, four steps at a time, with an agility not to be expected from a man of his build, the Prefect of Police, followed by the deputy chief, covered the second flight and came to a third, which was narrower and steeper.
wounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he reached the bend, a man's body, staggering above him, fell into his arms: it was Mazeroux, wounded.
yell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Prefect rushed to the door, but had not crossed the threshold when a pistol shot echoed down the staircase and there was a yell of pain.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Immediately after came two more shots, accompanied by cries, the sound of a struggle, and yet another shot.
