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 A TERRIBLE SECRET.
abductor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
alarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
aloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
borne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
down
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From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
endless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
fainter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
girl's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
halt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
lessen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
melodramatic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
month
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
novel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
placed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
raise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
recollection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading A TERRIBLE SECRET.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
self-defense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
sensational
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
sheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
shorter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
shriek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
struggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
TERRIBLEnounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A TERRIBLE SECRET.
terror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
tighter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In vain she struggled and tried to shriek aloud for help; the heavy hand closed tighter down upon her month; her breath grew shorter and fainter, and at last, in sheer self-defense, she ceased to struggle or to try and raise an alarm.
Violet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was melodramatic; it was like a scene from a sensational novel; but this recollection did not lessen the poor girl’s terror.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At length, after what seemed an endless time, her abductor came to a halt, and she was placed upon her feet.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading Violet felt herself borne rapidly away in the strong arms which held her; away, she knew not whither.
