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 Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
acute
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
admitted
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From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
agitation
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From this reading The MS. gave evidence of nervous agitation.
alleviation
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
attempting
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
best
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
bodily
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
boon
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From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
boyhood
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From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
cheerfulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
companions
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From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
disorder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
earnest
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
elapsed
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From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
evidence
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From this reading The MS. gave evidence of nervous agitation.
friend
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
gave
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From this reading The MS. gave evidence of nervous agitation.
gloom
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From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
illness
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
importunate
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From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
ItsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
lately
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From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
letter
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From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
malady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
mansion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
many
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From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
meeting
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From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
mental
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
MS
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From this reading The MS. gave evidence of nervous agitation.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
nature
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From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
nervous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The MS. gave evidence of nervous agitation.
NeverthelessadverbUS /ˌnevərðəˈles/
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
now
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From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
oppressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
personal
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From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
proposed
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From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
proprietor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
reply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
Roderick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
society
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
sojourn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
spoke
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From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
Usher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to myself a sojourn of some weeks.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
wildly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A letter, however, had lately reached me in a distant part of the country—a letter from him—which, in its wildly importunate nature, had admitted of no other than a personal reply.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
writer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The writer spoke of acute bodily illness—of a mental disorder which oppressed him—and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best, and indeed his only personal friend, with a view of attempting, by the cheerfulness of my society, some alleviation of his malady.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my boon companions in boyhood; but many years had elapsed since our last meeting.
