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 landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
alternately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
astir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
awoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
berries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
blanket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
bowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
Boyd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
castle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
Cayuga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
coffee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
Colonel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
Cresap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
dew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
dish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
double
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
drops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
eaves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
kindness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
landlord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
Pale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
porridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
purple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
revealed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
roaring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
roll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
scudding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
shingles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
stomach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
thickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
Timothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
trembling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The rain fell thickly until midnight, and kept me listening to the double roll of the drops along the shingles.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also brought me a bowl of coffee, the berries of which he said had been sent for my use by Colonel Cresap.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Pale clouds, scudding low, alternately hid and revealed the purple roof of sky on which stars hung trembling like drops of dew.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I lay in my blanket under the roof, and slept when the rain ceased, but awoke before dawn, listening to the wind roaring around the eaves.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading My landlord, Timothy Boyd, was already astir below, and presently he came up the ladder with a dish of porridge for me--a kindness, indeed, for I had thought to set out for the Cayuga castle on an empty stomach.
