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 “Never was a man more thoroughly boxed in.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
anger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
angry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “And how do you think I managed to do this at last?
attention
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From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
boxed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Never was a man more thoroughly boxed in.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
captor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
certainly
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From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “And how do you think I managed to do this at last?
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
hopeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Never was a man more thoroughly boxed in.
interference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “And how do you think I managed to do this at last?
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Never was a man more thoroughly boxed in.
managed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And how do you think I managed to do this at last?
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Never was a man more thoroughly boxed in.
mortally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
mount
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Never was a man more thoroughly boxed in.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
powerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
realized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
Sears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
shaft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
stimulant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
swearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “And how do you think I managed to do this at last?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “And how do you think I managed to do this at last?
thoroughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Never was a man more thoroughly boxed in.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Never was a man more thoroughly boxed in.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
wholly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when I was done swearing I took another look around, and, finding that there was no getting through the walls, turned my attention wholly to the shaft, which would certainly lead me out of the place if I could only find means to mount it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But anger is a powerful stimulant, and I was mortally angry, not only with Sears, but with myself.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As I realized how little chance there was of any outside interference, how my captor, even if he was seen leaving the house by the officer on duty, would be taken for myself and so allowed to escape, I own that I felt my position a hopeless one.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “And how do you think I managed to do this at last?
