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 As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
Aben
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
anger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
asking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
beating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
cap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
chamberlain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
contented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
criednounUS /cried/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
crying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
dared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
FoolnounUS /fool/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
happen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
Hassen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
hastauxiliary verbUS /hæst/
an old form of “have”, used with “thou”
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
Instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
knowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
outcrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
reverend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
sparkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
tearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
theepronounUS /ðiː/
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
Thereupon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran back into the bedroom again.
tore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
twitched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
violently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes and beating their hands.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading “What,” he cried, “art thou not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without asking the forbidden question?”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As for the chamberlain--he was a reverend old man--his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as though he would have struck if he had dared.
