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 It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
absence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
angle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
angles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
awe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
boxes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
Bransby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
ceiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
classical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of these was the pulpit of the "classical" usher; one, of the "English and mathematical."
comprising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
dismally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
Dominie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
dure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
enclosurenounUS /ˈenclosure/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of these was the pulpit of the "classical" usher; one, of the "English and mathematical."
et
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
forte
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
Gothic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
largest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
massy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
mathematical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of these was the pulpit of the "classical" usher; one, of the "English and mathematical."
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
oak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of these was the pulpit of the "classical" usher; one, of the "English and mathematical."
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
peine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
perished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
pointed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
principal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
pulpit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of these was the pulpit of the "classical" usher; one, of the "English and mathematical."
remote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
reverenced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
Reverend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
sanctum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
school-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
similar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
sooner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
structure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
terror-inspiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a remote and terror-inspiring angle was a square enclosure of eight or ten feet, comprising the _sanctum_, "during hours," of our principal, the Reverend Dr. Bransby.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading One of these was the pulpit of the "classical" usher; one, of the "English and mathematical."
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
usher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of these was the pulpit of the "classical" usher; one, of the "English and mathematical."
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
willingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was very long, narrow, and dismally low, with pointed Gothic windows and a ceiling of oak.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The school-room was the largest in the house--I could not help thinking, in the world.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was a solid structure, with massy door, sooner than open which in the absence of the "Dominie" we would all have willingly perished by the _peine forte et dure._ In other angles were two other similar boxes, far less reverenced, indeed, but still greatly matters of awe.
