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 little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She thought there was someone in the room, but she was not afraid.
Alexander's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
calm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
ceiling
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From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
cheek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
clothes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
coals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
danced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
dropping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
faded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
fire's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
firelight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
flaccid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
flames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
glow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
immense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
leapt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
licked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She thought there was someone in the room, but she was not afraid.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
palpable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
sheets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
someonepronounUS /ˈsʌmwʌn/
a person, without saying who
From this reading She thought there was someone in the room, but she was not afraid.
stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She thought there was someone in the room, but she was not afraid.
Theresa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She thought there was someone in the room, but she was not afraid.
ticked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
tranquil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
tumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
undressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
untroubled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading An immense and palpable calm surrounded her as she undressed, and when she stretched herself between the sheets she fell at once into an untroubled sleep.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then the fire's heart called back the flames, and they were gathered into a red and tranquil glow which faded, while the dropping coals slowly ticked out their life.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For a little while the firelight licked the walls, danced on the chair where her clothes were tumbled and leapt to the ceiling to look down on her in the bed, lying pale and flaccid with her cheek on Alexander's letter.
woke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But that noise had ceased and the room was entirely dark when Theresa woke and sat up.
