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 Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was one of the books which he opened often on an evening of fatigue and depression.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
arm-chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
Assisi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading It was one of the books which he opened often on an evening of fatigue and depression.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The "Life" or the "Fioretti" were books that rested his brain and soothed his spirits.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
candles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
cleared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
covering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
Cyprian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
day's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
depression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of the books which he opened often on an evening of fatigue and depression.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of the books which he opened often on an evening of fatigue and depression.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
Father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
fatigue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of the books which he opened often on an evening of fatigue and depression.
Fioretti
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The "Life" or the "Fioretti" were books that rested his brain and soothed his spirits.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
gloaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
Hammond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
handsomenounUS /ˈhandsome/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
hearth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was one of the books which he opened often on an evening of fatigue and depression.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
lie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
LifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
lofty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
London
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
north-western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
obscure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of the books which he opened often on an evening of fatigue and depression.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was one of the books which he opened often on an evening of fatigue and depression.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The "Life" or the "Fioretti" were books that rested his brain and soothed his spirits.
parish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
reclining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
rested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The "Life" or the "Fioretti" were books that rested his brain and soothed his spirits.
restingnounUS /ˈresting/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
Sabatier's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
sensuous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
simple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
slums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
soothed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The "Life" or the "Fioretti" were books that rested his brain and soothed his spirits.
spirits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The "Life" or the "Fioretti" were books that rested his brain and soothed his spirits.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The "Life" or the "Fioretti" were books that rested his brain and soothed his spirits.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The table had been cleared after his short and simple dinner, and he was half reclining in his deep arm-chair while Sabatier's "Life of St. Francis of Assisi" lay open on the table under the candles that made only a spot of light in the lofty room.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed, not asleep, but resting, and listening with a kind of sensuous pleasure to the light fall of wood ashes on the hearth.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Father Cyprian Hammond sat alone in the winter gloaming after a hard day's work in his parish, which was a large one, covering several of those obscure little slums that lie hidden behind handsome streets in north-western London.
