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 Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
Alcmene
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From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
all
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From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
Andromeda
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From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
Apollo
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From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
attack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
baby
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From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
birth
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From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
bring
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From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
centaurs
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From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
Chiron
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From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
creatures
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From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
Diana
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From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
education
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
famous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
fangs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
granddaughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
grasping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
hated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
HerculesnounUS /ˈhɜːrkjəliːz/
(classical mythology) a hero noted for his strength; performed 12 immense labors to gain immortality
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
hero
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
hunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
immense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
instructed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
intrusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
Juno
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
Jupiter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
lovely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
maidennoun, literaryUS /ˈmeɪdən/
a young woman who is not married
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
medicine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
misery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/
causing or relating to death
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
necks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
PartnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
Perseus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
poisonous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
princessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
prophecynounUS /ˈprɒf.ə.si/
A prediction of what will happen in the future, often divinely or magically inspired.
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
renowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
rivals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
serpents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
sought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
strangled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
suffering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
tiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
twining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
unoffending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Juno hated her as she did all her mortal rivals, and sought to bring misery and suffering on the unoffending maiden.
waken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hercules Part I Hercules was the son of Jupiter and Alcmene--a lovely princess, the granddaughter of Perseus and Andromeda.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The education of Hercules was intrusted to Chiron, the most renowned of the centaurs, who had himself been instructed by Apollo and Diana in hunting, medicine, music, and the art of prophecy.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When she learned that Hercules, the son of Alcmene, was born, she sent two immense serpents with poisonous fangs to attack the child while he slept.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The baby happened to waken just as the creatures were twining themselves about him; and grasping their necks in each of his tiny hands, he strangled them, thus showing from his birth the wonderful strength that was later to make him a famous hero.
