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 By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
abominable
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From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
acquaintance
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From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
all
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From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
anxious
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From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
anywhere
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From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
call
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From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
called
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From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
came
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From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
castle
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From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
celebrity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
chief
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From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
city
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From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
comes
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From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
concurrent
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From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
corner
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From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
curtain
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From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
desire
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From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
Devil's
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From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
dignity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
directions
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From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
down
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From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
Elbow
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From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
enjoy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
escape
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From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
escaping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
gate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
guard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
labours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
pierce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
precautionsplural nounUS /prɪˈkɔʃənz/
actions taken to prevent danger
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
precipice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
prisoners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
prospect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
regain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
safety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
south-west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
street
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
surrounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In all other directions an abominable precipice surrounds it, down the face of which (if anywhere at all) we must regain our liberty.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The time for our escape drew near, and the nearer it came the less we seemed to enjoy the prospect.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I have never met that celebrity; nor (if the rest of him at all comes up to what they called his elbow) have I the least desire of his acquaintance.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading There is but one side on which this castle can be left either with dignity or safety; but as there is the main gate and guard, and the chief street of the upper city, it is not to be thought of by escaping prisoners.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By our concurrent labours in many a dark night, working with the most anxious precautions against noise, we had made out to pierce below the curtain about the south-west corner, in a place they call the _Devil’s Elbow_.
