Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
August
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From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
awakening
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From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
Binks
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From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
boys
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From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
broke
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From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
building
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From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
came
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From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
clients
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From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
detail
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From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
employed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
employer's
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From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
facing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
factory
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From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
facts
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From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
fire-proof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
flames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
knitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
latter
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From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
located
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
Lucien
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
modern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
newspapers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
offices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
qualities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
rate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
re-told
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
rear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
record
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
served
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
sill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
Simmons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
sixty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
sterling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
stretching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
terrific
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire broke out one hot afternoon in August in the lower floor of the factory, and, as the building was "modern and fire-proof," the flames naturally spread at a terrific rate.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
three-story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
Torrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
touch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
view-point
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
waiting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The story was told in full detail by the newspapers at the time, but the public memory is not long, and, because this is a record of facts, it is here re-told, from the view-point of William and Lucien.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
Whimple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The factory, in which some sixty girls were employed, was a three-story building, facing the rear of the building in which were located the offices of Whimple and Simmons.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On one side it ran so close to the latter building that even the boys could, by a little stretching, touch the sill of a window to the right of the window in the room that served as office for William and waiting-room for his employer's clients.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The real awakening of William to the sterling qualities of Lucien Torrance came with the Binks' knitting factory fire.
