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 Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
Act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
AndeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
Avowal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
Bread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
cleared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
colonists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
ConfidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
Construction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
Cyrus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
Devotion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
Disappearance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
doubtless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
escapes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
flashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
Granite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
Handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
Harding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
Harding's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
HonestadjectiveUS /ˈɑnɪst/
truthful and trustworthy
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
Islet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
Mill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
mingle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
Mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
occurrence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
plateaunounUS /plateau/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
profiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
recollection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
Stranger's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
Twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
Two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
unfortunate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding's expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
wept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
withdrew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
Words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
Years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery to be cleared up -- The Stranger's first Words -- Twelve Years on the Islet -- Avowal which escapes him -- The Disappearance -- Cyrus Harding's Confidence -- Construction of a Mill -- The first Bread -- An Act of Devotion -- Honest Hands.
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
