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 They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
armour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
bear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
beat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
chain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
enchantedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtʃæn.tɪd/
Filled with or placed under the influence of magical power or charm.
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
fairy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
glad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
health
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
hitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
LifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
pinch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
prick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
princessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
snake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
torment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
twelfth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
Twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
twenty-four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
wash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
Water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
whip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
whitenounUS /waɪt/
a Caucasian
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading This night twelve men will come: their faces will be black, and they will be dressed in chain armour.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They will ask what you do here, but give no answer; and let them do what they will--beat, whip, pinch, prick, or torment you--bear all; only speak not a word, and at twelve o’clock they must go away.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Twelve long years have I waited here for the fairy to bring you hither as she promised, for you alone can save me.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Now the white snake was an enchanted princess; and she was very glad to see him, and said, ‘Are you at last come to set me free?
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The second night twelve others will come: and the third night twenty-four, who will even cut off your head; but at the twelfth hour of that night their power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come and bring you the Water of Life, and will wash you with it, and bring you back to life and health.’
