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 Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
breatheverbUS /briːð/
to speak or reveal information, especially secretly
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
came
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From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
closed
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From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
closing
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From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
drawers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
dressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Presently the footsteps drew near to his bed.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
end
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From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
flutteringverbUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
moving with quick light beats or trembles
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
footfall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
footsteps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently the footsteps drew near to his bed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
garments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
half-closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
handle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
intently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
Julian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
Julian's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
lying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was obliged to set his teeth.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
namelessadjectiveUS /ˈneɪm.ləs/
Having no name, or having a name that is kept secret or unknown.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently the footsteps drew near to his bed.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
noiseless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was obliged to set his teeth.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
pockets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
prepared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
Presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently the footsteps drew near to his bed.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was obliged to set his teeth.
shake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
stealthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a moment he was obliged to set his teeth.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
try
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
vigil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
wardrobe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He heard her shake out his dinner coat, try the pockets, heard the stealthy opening and closing of the drawers in his wardrobe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was at some nameless hour in the early morning when Julian’s vigil came to an end, when the handle of his door was slowly turned, and the door itself pushed open and closed again.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
wrapped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Julian, lying stretched upon his bed, only half prepared for the night, with a dressing gown wrapped around him, continued to breathe heavily, his eyes half-closed, listening intently to the fluttering of light garments, the soft, almost noiseless footfall of light feet.
