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 Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
accident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
ankle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
arm's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
Brabazon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
Burgo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
bursting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
consequence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
exquisite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
FOUNDnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FOUND.
Garion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
habit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
happening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
helpless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
ill-humour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
infinite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
invalid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
invalids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
Keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
landlady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
log
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
pain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
patient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
provocation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
reduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
savage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
slightest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
sprained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
straits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
sweet-tempered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
termed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
uncle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
vent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
walk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it happened, he had no one but himself and his landlady to vent his ill-humour on, and as the latter was in the habit of bursting into tears on the slightest provocation, he kept her at arm's length as much as possible.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading What made him especially savage was that his accident should have happened at a time when every hour was, or seemed to him, of infinite consequence.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Brabazon did not make the most patient or sweet-tempered of invalids, if a man may be termed an invalid who is laid up with nothing more serious than a sprained ankle.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading What might not be happening at Garion Keep--to what straits might not his uncle be reduced--while he, Burgo, was lying on his back, a helpless log, unable to walk across the floor without exquisite pain?
