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 Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a desire for food
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
awe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
beads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How often have I listened to it as it told the beads of time, and wondered at its constancy!
become
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
childish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
constancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How often have I listened to it as it told the beads of time, and wondered at its constancy!
corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
crowded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
dusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
endeavoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
excess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
Faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
forgottenadjectiveUS /fərˈɡɑːt.n̩/
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How often have I listened to it as it told the beads of time, and wondered at its constancy!
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
involuntarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How often have I listened to it as it told the beads of time, and wondered at its constancy!
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How often have I listened to it as it told the beads of time, and wondered at its constancy!
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
Raising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
recall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
recollect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
sage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
self
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
staircase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
ticked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How often have I listened to it as it told the beads of time, and wondered at its constancy!
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These thoughts have never crowded on me half so fast as they have done to-night.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How often have I listened to it as it told the beads of time, and wondered at its constancy!
traits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
unheedednounUS /ˈunheeded/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
unmixed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
veneration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
vulgar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Raising my eyes but now to the face of my old clock, I remember, quite involuntarily, the veneration, not unmixed with a sort of childish awe, with which I used to sit and watch it as it ticked, unheeded in a dark staircase corner.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading I recollect looking more grave and steady when I met its dusty face, as if, having that strange kind of life within it, and being free from all excess of vulgar appetite, and warning all the house by night and day, it were a sage.
wonderednounUS /wondered/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading How often have I listened to it as it told the beads of time, and wondered at its constancy!
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Faces I had long forgotten have become familiar to me once again; traits I had endeavoured to recall for years have come before me in an instant; nothing is changed but me; and even I can be my former self at will.
