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 I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
airy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
Amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You don't appear to recognize me, dear John.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
betokened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
burden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
changed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
clear
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From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
danger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In sight of this new danger I was speechless.
dear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You don't appear to recognize me, dear John.
define
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You don't appear to recognize me, dear John.
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
examine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
foreboding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
grievousadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːvəs/
very serious and causing great pain or suffering
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
haven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In sight of this new danger I was speechless.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In sight of this new danger I was speechless.
insolence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You don't appear to recognize me, dear John.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
light-hearted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
loss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
Maxwell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "You don't appear to recognize me, dear John.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
mockery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
nature
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In sight of this new danger I was speechless.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In sight of this new danger I was speechless.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
pack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
recognize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You don't appear to recognize me, dear John.
recovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
resist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
searching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In sight of this new danger I was speechless.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
speechless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In sight of this new danger I was speechless.
sustained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In sight of this new danger I was speechless.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In sight of this new danger I was speechless.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Am I so changed, or is it that you have not recovered from the shock of the loss we have sustained?
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was an airy insolence, a light-hearted mockery in Maxwell's voice which betokened that he had reached a haven for which he had been searching; and I knew from old experience that this was a sign of evil.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
woe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had no power to define its nature or to examine it with a clear mind, but I could not resist the foreboding that a grievous burden was added to my pack of woe.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You don't appear to recognize me, dear John.
