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 A dull smoke—a smoke of their torments—went up from their tops.
action
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
baked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
base
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
boiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
bricks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
bringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
burnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
changing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
charcoal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
color
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
contents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
crackled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
deteriorated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
dull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dull smoke—a smoke of their torments—went up from their tops.
duly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
extinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
fagots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
feeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
fires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
fit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
flaming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A dull smoke—a smoke of their torments—went up from their tops.
fuel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
grotesque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
Israel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
kiln
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
kilns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
layers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
lining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
lobsters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
midmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
peep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
prices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
scrolls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
service
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
shapes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dull smoke—a smoke of their torments—went up from their tops.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
successive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A dull smoke—a smoke of their torments—went up from their tops.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
tier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dull smoke—a smoke of their torments—went up from their tops.
torments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dull smoke—a smoke of their torments—went up from their tops.
twisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dull smoke—a smoke of their torments—went up from their tops.
upward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
useless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
vaulted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
vaults
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was curious to see the kilns under the action of the fire, gradually changing color, like boiling lobsters.
ways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A dull smoke—a smoke of their torments—went up from their tops.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading All night long, men sat before the mouth of the kilns, feeding them with fuel.
withered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When, at last, the fires would be extinguished, the bricks being duly baked, Israel often took a peep into the low vaulted ways at the base, where the flaming fagots had crackled.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The bricks immediately lining the vaults would be all burnt to useless scrolls, black as charcoal, and twisted into shapes the most grotesque; the next tier would be a little less withered, but hardly fit for service; and gradually, as you went higher and higher along the successive layers of the kiln, you came to the midmost ones, sound, square, and perfect bricks, bringing the highest prices; from these the contents of the kiln gradually deteriorated in the opposite direction, upward.
