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 For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
Akshelah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
animal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
animals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
bearingsplural nounUS /ˈberɪŋz/
directions used to locate a place, especially at sea
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
breaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
bushes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
confuse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
control
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
defiance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
fighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
fitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
float
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
glint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
glow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
jumped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
learnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
lesson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
mistake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
rang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
rise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
startlingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
stir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
sunlight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trees seemed to rise and float away from me; a hot hand inside my body jumped up to my throat; a mist closed before my eyes, and the sunlight appeared to glint with a red glow.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I felt my feet flying under me, and the bushes giving or breaking as they went by.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I had never known what it was to lose control over my strength, but I had learnt much since my father’s death, so that it became merely fitting for the animal side of my nature to receive its lesson.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For one moment I stopped, that I might be sure of my bearings, but while thus motionless, a cry rang startlingly forth, not of fear, but in defiance, and it was the cry of Akshelah; but it was cut short, as though a hand had closed upon her throat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The trained ear does not mistake such sounds, nor can it confuse them with the stir made by animals fighting or at play.
