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 CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
acute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
Arab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
BEFOREprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
bonds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
brave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
CALM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
carrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
chafed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
causing pain or showing no kindness
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
delicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
earlier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
enduring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
ever-growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
experienced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
exquisite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
flinch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
fluttered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
freed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
galled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
helpless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
high-peaked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
intolerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
Irene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
nostrils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
outrageous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
owing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
render
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
rope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
Royson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
Royson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
saddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
sank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
sighed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
sobnounUS /sɒb/
a sudden deep breath caused by emotion
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
stiff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
STORM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
swollen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
tied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
torture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the ever-growing darkness he had not realized earlier how acute was the torture she was enduring.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
utterednounUS /ˈuttered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM When Irene was freed from her bonds she sighed deeply, uttered a little sob as though her soul had fluttered to her lips, and sank into Royson's arms.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She must have experienced some difficulty in breathing, owing to the outrageous manner in which her mouth and nostrils were covered.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Royson was carrying her on the high-peaked Arab saddle, the strain grew almost intolerable, but her brave heart did not flinch under that exquisite pain.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
wrists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet, to render her quite helpless, her wrists were tied with such cruel force that they became swollen and stiff, and her delicate skin was chafed until it galled beneath the rope.
