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 DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
Ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
avenue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
belong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And then, from the direction of the house, came the crash of broken glass.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
clump
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
crash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, from the direction of the house, came the crash of broken glass.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
DEADLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, from the direction of the house, came the crash of broken glass.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
ended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
fools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In a moment, I had found the path and was speeding toward the house.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading And then, from the direction of the house, came the crash of broken glass.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, from the direction of the house, came the crash of broken glass.
Godfrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In a moment, I had found the path and was speeding toward the house.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a moment, I had found the path and was speeding toward the house.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
injury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
landed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
lawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
madmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a moment, I had found the path and was speeding toward the house.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
pad-pad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
path
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a moment, I had found the path and was speeding toward the house.
PERIL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
protects
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
providencenounUS /ˈprɑː.və.dəns/
The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
scratches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
shrubbery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
Simmonds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ahead of me flitted a dark shadow which I knew to be Godfrey, and behind me came the pad-pad of heavy feet, which could only belong to Simmonds.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
speeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a moment, I had found the path and was speeding toward the house.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then, from the direction of the house, came the crash of broken glass.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading In a moment, I had found the path and was speeding toward the house.
traversed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I reached the lawn, crossed it, and traversed the short avenue which ended at the library door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a moment, I had found the path and was speeding toward the house.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading DEADLY PERIL There must be a providence which protects fools and madmen, for I landed in a heavy clump of shrubbery, and got to my feet with no injury more serious than some scratches on hands and face, which at the time I did not even feel.
