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 Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
abruptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the attic had just burst open abruptly.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
ankles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The eldest girl made her appearance on the threshold.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
attic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the attic had just burst open abruptly.
attracted
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From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
bespattered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
breast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the attic had just burst open abruptly.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
caused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
coarse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
deposited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
descending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the attic had just burst open abruptly.
eldest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The eldest girl made her appearance on the threshold.
emerging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The eldest girl made her appearance on the threshold.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The eldest girl made her appearance on the threshold.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
improvised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
inspire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the attic had just burst open abruptly.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
load
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The eldest girl made her appearance on the threshold.
mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/
a loose covering like a cloak
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
Marius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
men's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
mud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
observatory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The door of the attic had just burst open abruptly.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
picked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
pity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
post
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
previously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
shoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
species
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
splashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
tatters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The eldest girl made her appearance on the threshold.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marius had not seen it on her an hour previously, but she had probably deposited it at his door, in order that she might inspire the more pity, and had picked it up again on emerging.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Marius, with a load upon his breast, was on the point of descending from the species of observatory which he had improvised, when a sound attracted his attention and caused him to remain at his post.
wrapped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On her feet, she had large, coarse, men’s shoes, bespattered with mud, which had splashed even to her red ankles, and she was wrapped in an old mantle which hung in tatters.
