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 threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
absorbing
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From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
accessory
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From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
air
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From this reading I threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
Always
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From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
arrested
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From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
becomes
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From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
boots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
brittleadjectiveUS /ˈbrɪtəl/
hard but easily broken
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
ceiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
depends
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From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
frost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
icicles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
jingling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
lawyers
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From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
Mechanically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
meteorological
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
observationnounUS /ˈobservation/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
peculiarly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
Philippa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
post-mortem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
sank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
sash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
severe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
sixteen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
slippers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
snow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
sponge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
strucknounUS /struck/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mechanically I threw up the sponge; it struck hard against the ceiling, and fell back a mass of brittle, jingling icicles, so severe was the iron frost that had bound it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
thermometer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I threw up the sash, the cold air cut me like a knife.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
woke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF course when I woke next morning my first thought was of Philippa; my second was of the weather.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading My heart sank into my boots, or rather (for I had not yet dressed) into my slippers, when I found that, for the first time during sixteen days, the snow had ceased falling.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Always interesting, meteorological observation becomes peculiarly absorbing when it entirely depends on the thermometer whether you shall, or shall not, be arrested as an accessory after the fact, or (as lawyers say) _post-mortem_.
