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 “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
back
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From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
distinctly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
dull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
flaxen
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From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
forearms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
fours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
greyish-red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
hair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
imperfect
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From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
impressionnounUS /ˌɪmˈpreʃən/
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
instant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
obscurity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
openings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
pause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
pillar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
profound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
ruins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After an instant’s pause I followed it into the second heap of ruins.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
well-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But, as I say, it went too fast for me to see distinctly.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “My impression of it is, of course, imperfect; but I know it was a dull white, and had strange large greyish-red eyes; also that there was flaxen hair on its head and down its back.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I cannot even say whether it ran on all fours, or only with its forearms held very low.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I could not find it at first; but, after a time in the profound obscurity, I came upon one of those round well-like openings of which I have told you, half closed by a fallen pillar.
