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 _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
Abode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
Alarm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went up the shore, and down the shore, but it was all one; I could see no other impression but that one.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I went up the shore, and down the shore, but it was all one; I could see no other impression but that one.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
apparition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition.
Apprehension
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I went up the shore, and down the shore, but it was all one; I could see no other impression but that one.
Cause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went up the shore, and down the shore, but it was all one; I could see no other impression but that one.
exceedingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
farther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went up to a rising ground, to look farther.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
Fortifies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went up to a rising ground, to look farther.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition.
impression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went up the shore, and down the shore, but it was all one; I could see no other impression but that one.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went up to a rising ground, to look farther.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
naked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I went up the shore, and down the shore, but it was all one; I could see no other impression but that one.
noon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went up the shore, and down the shore, but it was all one; I could see no other impression but that one.
plain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
print
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went up to a rising ground, to look farther.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
sand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I listened, I looked round me, I could hear nothing, nor see anything.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I went up the shore, and down the shore, but it was all one; I could see no other impression but that one.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
thunderstruckadjectiveUS /ˈθʌndərstrʌk/
extremely surprised or shocked
From this reading I stood like one thunderstruck, or as if I had seen an apparition.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
UnexpectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/
not expected or anticipated
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went up to a rising ground, to look farther.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went up to a rising ground, to look farther.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Unexpected Alarm--Cause for Apprehension--He Fortifies His Abode_ It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat, I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man’s naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand.
