Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
AcrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
afield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
balcony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
bedroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/
next to; at the side of
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
BodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
breathing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
Cairo
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From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
carpeted
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From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
constellations
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From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
crimson
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From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
Desert
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
dip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
doors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
down
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From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
dread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
dreams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
Egypt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
Egyptian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
fields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
groves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
Libyan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
meander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
Nile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
Nubia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
palm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
pyramids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
railings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
Sahara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
sands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
shaping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɑləmli/
seriously and formally
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
swelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
thousands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
tilled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This side of the pyramids he saw the Nile meander among palm groves and tilled fields.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
trooped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
untamable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
Upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And from his bedroom windows he watched the sun dip into gold and crimson behind the swelling Libyan sands.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Here, within half an hour of Cairo, it lay breathing solemnly at his very doors.
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He wondered again why people thought it necessary to go so far afield to know the Desert.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Across his balcony railings the Egyptian stars trooped down beside his very bed, shaping old constellations for his dreams; while, to the south, he looked out upon the vast untamable Body of the sands that carpeted the world for thousands of miles towards Upper Egypt, Nubia, and the dread Sahara itself.
