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 He had come straight out from a stormy midnight talk with Sheila.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
bornnounUS /born/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
burden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had come straight out from a stormy midnight talk with Sheila.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
cry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
Derek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
ecstasies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
expresses
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From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
fervid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
foolish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had come straight out from a stormy midnight talk with Sheila.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had come straight out from a stormy midnight talk with Sheila.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
hurrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
lilac-curtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
love
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
Mallorings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
Malvern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
Nedda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
physical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
poet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
Road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
Sheila
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come straight out from a stormy midnight talk with Sheila.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
Spaniard's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
stormy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come straight out from a stormy midnight talk with Sheila.
straight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come straight out from a stormy midnight talk with Sheila.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
sweet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
swordsman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come straight out from a stormy midnight talk with Sheila.
temper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
upward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
weak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The stars were his companions; though he was no poet, having rather the fervid temper of the born swordsman, that expresses itself in physical ecstasies.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was foolish, it was weak; and with a sweet, soft sort of girl who could be no use.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had come straight out from a stormy midnight talk with Sheila.
wits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What was he doing—had been the burden of her cry—falling in love just at this moment when they wanted all their wits and all their time and strength for this struggle with the Mallorings?
writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Nedda sat, long past midnight, writing her heart out in her little, white, lilac-curtained room of the old house above the Spaniard's Road, Derek, of whom she wrote, was walking along the Malvern hills, hurrying upward in the darkness.
