Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
arose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
awakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
blank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
blinked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a group of things tied or wrapped together
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
carrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
childish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
conviction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
courage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
detail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
Dick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
direct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
ditch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
Esther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
exercise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
faculties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
feelingnounUS /ˈfeeling/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
footfalls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
instinct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
legacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
overnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
pleasure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
probably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
recalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
recollect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took him some time to recollect his thoughts.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
ruefuladjectiveUS /ˈruːfəl/
showing regret or mild sorrow
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
speedy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
stroke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
stunningly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
succeeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took him some time to recollect his thoughts.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It took him some time to recollect his thoughts.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading IT was probably on the stroke of ten, and Dick had been half asleep for some time against the bank, when Esther came up the road carrying a bundle.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The whole story of the past night sprang into his mind with every detail, as by an exercise of the direct and speedy sense of sight, and he arose from the ditch and, with rueful courage, went to meet his love.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had awakened with a certain blank and childish sense of pleasure, like a man who had received a legacy overnight; but this feeling gradually died away, and was then suddenly and stunningly succeeded by a conviction of the truth.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some kind of instinct, or perhaps the distant light footfalls, recalled him, while she was still a good way off, to the possession of his faculties, and he half raised himself and blinked upon the world.
