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 For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
amusing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
azure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
beat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
blazoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
croaked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
causing pain or showing no kindness
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On and on he glided, like an evil shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed.
disturbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
doom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
eleven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
forth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
gaiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
glided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On and on he glided, like an evil shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On and on he glided, like an evil shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
laughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
light-hearted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
loathe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On and on he glided, like an evil shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
Minister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
moaning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
moon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
murdered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
oriel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
Otis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
owl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On and on he glided, like an evil shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
quarter-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
raven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
restnounUS /rest/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
sallied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
schoolboys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
seeming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On and on he glided, like an evil shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading On and on he glided, like an evil shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed.
shrieks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
smile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
snoring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
soul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
sounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
States
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
stealthily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
stole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At half-past ten he heard the family going to bed.
twins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
unconscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
United
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On and on he glided, like an evil shadow, the very darkness seeming to loathe him as he passed.
wainscoting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
wandered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
wife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
window-panes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For some time he was disturbed by wild shrieks of laughter from the twins, who, with the light-hearted gaiety of schoolboys, were evidently amusing themselves before they retired to rest, but at a quarter-past eleven all was still, and, as midnight sounded, he sallied forth.
wrinkled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stepped stealthily out of the wainscoting, with an evil smile on his cruel, wrinkled mouth, and the moon hid her face in a cloud as he stole past the great oriel window, where his own arms and those of his murdered wife were blazoned in azure and gold.
yew-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owl beat against the window-panes, the raven croaked from the old yew-tree, and the wind wandered moaning round the house like a lost soul; but the Otis family slept unconscious of their doom, and high above the rain and storm he could hear the steady snoring of the Minister for the United States.
