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 will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
aright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
awaiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
awful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
bear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
cast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
clatter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will close my eyes” was her next thought.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
creep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
creeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
delight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
dusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
experiment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will close my eyes” was her next thought.
fancies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
forcing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
freed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
group
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
haste
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
impenetrable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
instantly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
instructions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
journeynounUS /ˈjourney/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
joyfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
knocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
lids
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
mantelpiece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
missing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I will close my eyes” was her next thought.
nearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I will close my eyes” was her next thought.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
opening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
page
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
picking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
retrace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
smothered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
spasmodic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
steps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
streak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I will close my eyes” was her next thought.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and joyfully began to retrace her steps.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
voices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her journey.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I will close my eyes” was her next thought.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
whispered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, her hand upon the wall.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I will close my eyes” was her next thought.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading “I will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter.
