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 Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
adamantine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading But her back was against the wall now.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He stood perfectly still, massive and inflexible, to receive her.
anywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
approaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
arrival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
aware
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her back was against the wall now.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
chair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
coward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coward stage was past.
crouching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
directed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
gaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He stood perfectly still, massive and inflexible, to receive her.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
inflexible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood perfectly still, massive and inflexible, to receive her.
informed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
isolated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
Mary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
massive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood perfectly still, massive and inflexible, to receive her.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her back was against the wall now.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coward stage was past.
perceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood perfectly still, massive and inflexible, to receive her.
receive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood perfectly still, massive and inflexible, to receive her.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
sank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
shake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
somebodypronounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdi/
a person, without saying who
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
stage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The coward stage was past.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He stood perfectly still, massive and inflexible, to receive her.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He stood perfectly still, massive and inflexible, to receive her.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But her back was against the wall now.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading How she got into the room--the isolated big drawing-room, which somebody else, who was aware of his arrival, had directed that he was to be shown into--Mary knew not; but she was there.
withering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without approaching him--or he her--to shake hands, without looking at his face or anywhere near it, she perceived the adamantine set of lips, the cold gaze, more withering than fire, which informed her that he knew all; and she sank crouching into a chair, and hid her face.
