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 giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
acted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
attend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
blow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
breast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, kneeling on the breast, he hacked till the head came off.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, kneeling on the breast, he hacked till the head came off.
clutched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
constantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
conveniently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
dirk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
dying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
endure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
exceed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
giddiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
Grettir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
hacked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, kneeling on the breast, he hacked till the head came off.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
hastauxiliary verbUS /hæst/
an old form of “have”, used with “thou”
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, kneeling on the breast, he hacked till the head came off.
henceforth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
horror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
ill-luck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
kneeling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, kneeling on the breast, he hacked till the head came off.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
madly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
match
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, kneeling on the breast, he hacked till the head came off.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then, kneeling on the breast, he hacked till the head came off.
oppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
seeking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
severedadjectiveUS /ˈsevərd/
cut completely into separate parts
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
shaltmodal verbUS /ʃælt/
an old form of “shall”, used with “thou”
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
sheath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
stare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
sword-haft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
theepronounUS /ðiː/
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, kneeling on the breast, he hacked till the head came off.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Grettir at this moment noticed that his dirk had slipped from its sheath during the fall, and that it now lay conveniently near his hand.
ThoupronounUS /ðaʊ/
an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/
an old word for “your”, speaking to one person
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
thyself
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
vampire's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Now learn that henceforth ill-luck shall constantly attend thee; that thy strength shall never exceed what it now is, and that by night these eyes of mine shall stare at thee through the darkness till thy dying day, so that for very horror thou shalt not endure to be alone."
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The giddiness which had oppressed him passed away, he clutched at the sword-haft, and with a blow severed the vampire's throat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Thou hast acted madly in seeking to match thyself with me.
