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 was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
airy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
anxiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
bedstead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
conscious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
Cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
DISCLOSURES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
disinfectant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
elderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
enameled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
Feng
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
fourthnounUS /fourth/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
gold-rimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
grew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
grey-bearded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
iodoform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
iron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
Keys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
MORE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
nostrils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
nurse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
odor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
peeringverbUS /ˈpɪrɪŋ/
looking closely or carefully
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
pungent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/
hard to find or in short supply
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
spectacles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
surroundings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
Ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
Thelma
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
unfamiliar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE DISCLOSURES Ten minutes later I grew conscious of unfamiliar surroundings.
uniform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first was that of a grey-bearded man in gold-rimmed spectacles, the second was that of an elderly nurse in uniform, the third I recognized as old Feng--and the fourth--I could scarce believe my eyes--was Thelma herself!
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I looked up I saw four faces peering anxiously down into mine.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I was lying upon a narrow iron bedstead and my nostrils were full of the pungent odor of some disinfectant--I think it was iodoform.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was no longer in that dark old room at the Cross Keys, but in a bright airy little room enameled in white.
