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 I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
alchemist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
amaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
attitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
blase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
BLASTING
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From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
case-hardened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
commencement
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From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
engraved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
engraven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
enterprising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
EvernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
experienced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
finds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
fixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
identical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
illusions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
laboriously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
marvelous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
mute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
NOdeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
OUTLET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
proof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
ROCKnounUS /rɑːk/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
signature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
suffered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
surprises
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NO OUTLET--BLASTING THE ROCK Ever since the commencement of our marvelous journey, I had experienced many surprises, had suffered from many illusions.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I thought that I was case-hardened against all surprises and could neither see nor hear anything to amaze me again.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
wholly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was like a many who, having been round the world, finds himself wholly blase and proof against the marvelous.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was there the signature of the learned and enterprising alchemist written in the rock, but I held in my hand the very identical instrument with which he had laboriously engraved it.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, however, I saw these two letters, which had been engraven three hundred years before, I stood fixed in an attitude of mute surprise.
