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 FOR a moment I lost my self-possession.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
angry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
annoyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/
very surprised
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
bitterlyadverbUS /ˈbɪtərli/
in a way that shows deep pain or grief
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
brow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
causing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
clasped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I scarcely remember now what I did.
displeased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
embraces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
fervor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
flushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
foolnounUS /fool/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FOR a moment I lost my self-possession.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
gasps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading FOR a moment I lost my self-possession.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
kissed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR a moment I lost my self-possession.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR a moment I lost my self-possession.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading FOR a moment I lost my self-possession.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I scarcely remember now what I did.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
passionately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
quick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
release
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading I scarcely remember now what I did.
roughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I scarcely remember now what I did.
self-possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR a moment I lost my self-possession.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
suddenness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
swiftly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
thoroughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
vexed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No, SHE was not angry, but I was—thoroughly annoyed—bitterly vexed with myself, for being such a fool.
vile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I scarcely remember now what I did.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I know I clasped her almost roughly in my arms—I know that I kissed her passionately on lips, throat and brow—and that in the fervor of my embraces, the thought of what manner of vile thing she was came swiftly upon me, causing me to release her with such suddenness that she caught at the back of a chair to save herself from falling.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Her breath came and went in little quick gasps of excitement, her face was flushed—she looked astonished, yet certainly not displeased.
