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 During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
acquaintance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
brightness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
constant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
delivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
diminished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
Egremont's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
energy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
expressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
failing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no mere failing of purpose.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
forehead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
Gilbert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
Grail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
ill-health
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
incentive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
latter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
lectures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
LIGHTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
lines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
mental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no mere failing of purpose.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was no mere failing of purpose.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
purpose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no mere failing of purpose.
restlessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
SHADOWS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
stead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
thoroughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was not ill-health, but mental restlessness, which expressed itself in the lines of his forehead and the diminished brightness of his eyes.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading LIGHTS AND SHADOWS Egremont's face, it was true, showed that things were not altogether well with him.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
year
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the last two months of the year he had felt a constant need of help, and help such as would alone stead him he could not find.
zeal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He prepared his lectures as thoroughly as ever, and delivered them with no less zeal than in the first weeks; indeed, if anything, his energy grew, for, since his nearer acquaintance with Gilbert Grail, the latter's face before him was always an incentive.