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 THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
ached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
admixture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
backward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
breeches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
Catriona
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
considered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
contrariety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
extraordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
feelings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
future
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
heaved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
hindmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
JAMES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
joy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
knocking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
laced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
leapingnounUS /ˈleaping/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
legs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
lifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
man's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
menacing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
MORE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
morrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
mostly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
painful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
prayer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
RETURN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
separate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
separation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
shirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
slumber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
swooned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
threshold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
troubled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
weary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had been saying till my head was weary that Catriona and I must separate, and looking till my head ached for any possible means of separation.
weight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is to be considered, however, that even if the weight of the future were lifted off me by the man's arrival, the present heaved up the more black and menacing; so that, as I first stood before him in my shirt and breeches, I believe I took a leaping step backward like a person shot.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here were the means come to me upon two legs, and joy was the hindmost of my thoughts.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I ought to have been glad perhaps without admixture, for there was a sense in which the man came like an answer to prayer.
wrapraseal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RETURN OF JAMES MORE I was called on the morrow out of a late and troubled slumber by a knocking on my door, ran to open it, and had almost swooned with the contrariety of my feelings, mostly painful; for on the threshold, in a rough wrapraseal and an extraordinary big laced hat, there stood James More.
