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 Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
Author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
Broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
chambers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
Covenden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
December
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
dispensed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
Down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
driving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
equal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
Fleet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
gaslit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
ice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
impeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
imposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
inconvenience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
Inn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
invaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/
a loose covering like a cloak
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
Marvin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
Miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
mud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
Northcote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
numbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
parts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
pavements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
pervasive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
Pools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
population
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
resolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
section
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
Shepherd's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Author of “Broke of Covenden,” “Miss Dorothy Marvin,” etc._ Northcote sat in his chambers in Shepherd’s Inn.
skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
sleet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
slush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
stoutest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
Street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
stung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
submerged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
thaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
thrall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the dim light before night or sunrise
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
unaddicted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Down below was Fleet Street, in the thrall of a bitter December twilight.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Pools of slush, composed in equal parts of ice, water, and mud, impeded the pavements.
wearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading A heavy and pervasive thaw pressed its mantle upon the gaslit air; a driving sleet numbed the skin and stung the eyes of all who had to face it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading They invaded the stoutest boots, submerged those less resolute, and imposed not a little inconvenience upon that section of the population which, unaddicted to the wearing of boots, had dispensed with them altogether.
