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 She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
all
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From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
apropos
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From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
banisters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
cheerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
climbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/
the inner sense of right and wrong
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
constant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
curiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
drawl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
Ebner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
Em
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
exclaimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
extra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
flushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
FortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
indicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
intruders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
key
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
lean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
lock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
Mercury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
morning's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
nervousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
overcoat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
peddlers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
pinchednounUS /ˈpinched/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
pocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
rushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
scot-free
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
sigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
slipping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by alcohol
From this reading “Well, Em!” he returned, with a cheerful drawl, having a scot-free conscience apropos of the night and being cold sober.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
stayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
sticking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
studying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
suppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
tenants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
vain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
vigil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
Well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading She had been waiting for him at the top of the stairs, had been waiting for him, indeed, half the morning, and now at the sound of his key in the lock of the front door, slipping in between Mercury and Fortune, who kept a constant vigil over tenants, peddlers, or intruders, she rushed again to the banisters.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He raised his lean head as he climbed, the morning’s extra sticking out of his overcoat pocket, his eyes studying his wife curiously.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Ebner!” she exclaimed with a sigh, and in the voice of a woman who had been waiting in vain for a husband who had stayed out all night.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was flushed, her small mouth wore a pinched expression, and her whole manner indicated suppressed nervousness.
