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 It was a rimy morning, and very damp.
accepted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a rimy morning, and very damp.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
bare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
blade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
came
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From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
clammy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
coarser
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From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/
the inner sense of right and wrong
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
crying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
damp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rimy morning, and very damp.
devoting
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From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
directing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
dripped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
finger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
goblin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
hanging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
hedges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
Hulks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
invisible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a rimy morning, and very damp.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
marsh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a rimy morning, and very damp.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
oppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
phantomnounUS /ˈfæn.təm/
A ghost or apparition; a figment of the imagination or a hidden dweller.
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
pocket-handkerchief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
rail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
rimy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rimy morning, and very damp.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
spiders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
twig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
using
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a rimy morning, and very damp.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a rimy morning, and very damp.
webs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I saw the damp lying on the bare hedges and spare grass, like a coarser sort of spiders’ webs; hanging itself from twig to twig and blade to blade.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then, as I looked up at it, while it dripped, it seemed to my oppressed conscience like a phantom devoting me to the Hulks.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had seen the damp lying on the outside of my little window, as if some goblin had been crying there all night, and using the window for a pocket-handkerchief.
wooden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On every rail and gate, wet lay clammy, and the marsh mist was so thick, that the wooden finger on the post directing people to our village—a direction which they never accepted, for they never came there—was invisible to me until I was quite close under it.
