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 When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
Alba
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
altar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
ATRIUM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATRIUM VESTÆ.
attend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
banks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
central
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
circular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
constituted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
domestic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
esteemed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
goddess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
hearth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
hestia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
household
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
hut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
indispensable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
mysteriousadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/
to get something, especially through effort
From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
pastoral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
provision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
reverence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
Roman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
Romans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
sacred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
settlement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Fire was esteemed sacred, being so mysterious, and so indispensable, and reverence was made to the domestic hearth (hestia) as the altar of the Fire goddess.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
thenceadverbUS /ðens/
from that place or that time
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
Tiber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Roman settlement was made on the banks of the Tiber, one hut of a circular form was constituted the central hearth, and provision was made that thence every household should obtain its fire.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To obtain fresh fire was not always possible, and at the best of times not easy.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
VESTÆ
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ATRIUM VESTÆ.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the Romans were a pastoral people at Alba, then it was the duty of the young girls to attend to the common hearth and keep the fire ever burning.