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 The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
abed
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From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
activity
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From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
alluring
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From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
appeared
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From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
Armstrong
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From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
assisted
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From this reading His window overlooked the stable yard, and he recognized the mumble of the hostler who had assisted him yesterday.
awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
awoke
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From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
clattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
convinced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/
an open area surrounded by the walls of a building
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
custom
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From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
drowsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
fastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
hazily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
hoofs
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From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
horse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
horses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
hostler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His window overlooked the stable yard, and he recognized the mumble of the hostler who had assisted him yesterday.
hum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
lain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
led
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
mattress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
mumble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His window overlooked the stable yard, and he recognized the mumble of the hostler who had assisted him yesterday.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
overlooked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His window overlooked the stable yard, and he recognized the mumble of the hostler who had assisted him yesterday.
overslept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
paved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His window overlooked the stable yard, and he recognized the mumble of the hostler who had assisted him yesterday.
remembered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
shutters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
sounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
stable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His window overlooked the stable yard, and he recognized the mumble of the hostler who had assisted him yesterday.
startled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
thread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
trampling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was the more convinced of this in that he remembered hazily the clattering hoofs of a horse some time before, and then later, another being led out; now there appeared to be a third, and the hum of talk came up to him.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading His window overlooked the stable yard, and he recognized the mumble of the hostler who had assisted him yesterday.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He lay still, half drowsed, the mattress most alluring to him, when suddenly he was startled wide awake by a voice he knew.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When William Armstrong awoke, he thought he had overslept himself, for the trampling of horses sounded in the paved courtyard below.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
wooden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
yard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one window of his room, over which he had drawn and fastened heavy wooden shutters the night before, let in a thread of light which showed him a new day had come, and the activity in the yard made him fear he had lain longer abed than was his custom.
yesterday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His window overlooked the stable yard, and he recognized the mumble of the hostler who had assisted him yesterday.
