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 In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
aisles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
ameliorate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
brow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
chapel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
church
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
conditions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
congregation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
crowded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
depressing-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
hopeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
Marvel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
misery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
Poverty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
sombre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
somehow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
suffocation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
sullen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
thronged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
want
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
wishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.