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 PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
arranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
assured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
aware
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From this reading I could not tell from the driver's face whether he was aware of his extravagant speech.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
bog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
bog-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
bog-holes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
brown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
cap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not tell from the driver's face whether he was aware of his extravagant speech.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
doctornounUS /doctor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
driven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
driver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
driver's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not tell from the driver's face whether he was aware of his extravagant speech.
driving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
extravagant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not tell from the driver's face whether he was aware of his extravagant speech.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not tell from the driver's face whether he was aware of his extravagant speech.
Father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
frequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
gliding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
inch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
leap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
MacTurnan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
Monday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
PLAYHOUSE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
preparing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
ruts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
scared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
shied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
speech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not tell from the driver's face whether he was aware of his extravagant speech.
stay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
straggles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not tell from the driver's face whether he was aware of his extravagant speech.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
thread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
WASTEnounUS /weɪst/
an empty, uncultivated area of land
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading I could not tell from the driver's face whether he was aware of his extravagant speech.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the day before Christmas Day, and I was driving the doctor; he saw something, a small white thing gliding along the road, and he was that scared that the hair rose up and went through his cap."
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A PLAYHOUSE IN THE WASTE I had arranged to stay with Father MacTurnan till Monday, and I had driven many miles along the road that straggles like a grey thread through the brown bog.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading "Only once he was near leaving the road, and the wheel of the car must have gone within an inch of the bog-hole.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On either side there were bog-holes, and great ruts in the road; the horse shied frequently, and once I was preparing to leap from the car, but the driver assured me that the old horse would not leave the road.
