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 At first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
apparent
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From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
arches
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From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
begin
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From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
blast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
came
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From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
carried
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From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
cause
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From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
cave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
change
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From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
denser
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
depth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
descendednounUS /ˈdescended/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily.
desolation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
dismal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
eked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
elsewhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
ensuing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily.
flakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
frightful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
galleries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
icy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
imprisoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
Instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
knees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
laboured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
labouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
loose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
onward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
perilous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
roaring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
shapes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily.
snow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
spiral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
steadily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first, but a few flakes descended slowly and steadily.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One of the dismal galleries through which the road is carried at that perilous point, a cave eked out by arches of great strength, was near at hand.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
tracknounUS /træk/
a route or signs showing the way someone went
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
tremendous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Instantly ensuing upon this last change, an icy blast came roaring at them, and every sound and force imprisoned until now was let loose.
upward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They had for some time laboured upward and onward through the snow--which was now above their knees in the track, and of unknown depth elsewhere--and they were still labouring upward and onward through the most frightful part of that tremendous desolation, when snow begin to fall.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
whirl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading After a little while the fall grew much denser, and suddenly it began without apparent cause to whirl itself into spiral shapes.
