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 When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
bricks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
brightened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
creaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
donkeys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
elbowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
empty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
entry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
excitement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
grate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
inhabitants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
Jessica
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
loft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
midst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
minister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
minister's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
miserable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
Near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
rags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
rounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
rusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
served
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
squalid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
stable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
stove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
stuffed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
tiles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
UNEXPECTED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
VISITOR
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
window-panes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
