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 singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
alike
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
awake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
buried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
ceremony
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
citizens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
contact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Medius himself, in spite of the scorching sun, could not be still.
cowered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
crash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
deeply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
doom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
earthquakes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
edicts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
enforced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
everyonepronounUS /ˈevriwʌn/
every person
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
exempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
fig-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
gods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
growth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Medius himself, in spite of the scorching sun, could not be still.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
hot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
lamb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
Medius
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Medius himself, in spite of the scorching sun, could not be still.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
neighbors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
oppressively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
overwhelmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
palm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
perish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
prohibiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
promptly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
rigidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
roofs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
rooted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
sacrifice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
sacrificing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
savings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
small or barely sufficient in amount
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
scorching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Medius himself, in spite of the scorching sun, could not be still.
secretly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
severe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
shade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
singer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
size
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Medius himself, in spite of the scorching sun, could not be still.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Medius himself, in spite of the scorching sun, could not be still.
storms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Medius himself, in spite of the scorching sun, could not be still.
terror
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
victims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was warm, and great and small alike slept--or lay awake--under the stars so as not to be overwhelmed by the crash of roofs and walls; the next day was oppressively hot, and the family cowered in a row in the scanty shade of a palm and of a fig-tree, the only growth of any size in the singer's garden.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was dark the old man buried all his savings, for even if everyone else were to perish, he felt that he--though how or why he knew not--might be exempt from the common doom.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The more the different members of the family came into contact with other citizens, the more deeply rooted was their terror that the end of all things was at hand.
Zeus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The singer's wife and daughter had joined some neighbors in sacrificing a black lamb to Zeus, a ceremony that was usual on the occasion of earthquakes or very severe storms; but it was done very secretly, for the edicts prohibiting the sacrifice of victims to the gods were promptly and rigidly enforced.