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 At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
accustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Soon after he went back to his cell, a keeper opened the door to let in another prisoner.
afterward
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From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
all
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From this reading Here were all the inmates of the jail crowded together.
allowed
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From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Soon after he went back to his cell, a keeper opened the door to let in another prisoner.
anxiously
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From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
apart
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From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
back
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From this reading Soon after he went back to his cell, a keeper opened the door to let in another prisoner.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
became
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From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
cells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
cement-walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
court
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
crowded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were all the inmates of the jail crowded together.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon after he went back to his cell, a keeper opened the door to let in another prisoner.
dope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
duffers
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From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
exercise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
faithfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
filthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
guards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here were all the inmates of the jail crowded together.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
inmates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were all the inmates of the jail crowded together.
interposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
jail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were all the inmates of the jail crowded together.
Jurgis
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From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
keeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon after he went back to his cell, a keeper opened the door to let in another prisoner.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon after he went back to his cell, a keeper opened the door to let in another prisoner.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
performed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
prisoner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon after he went back to his cell, a keeper opened the door to let in another prisoner.
prisoners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
roofed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
screens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
shirk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
Soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon after he went back to his cell, a keeper opened the door to let in another prisoner.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were all the inmates of the jail crowded together.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
visitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
wash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Soon after he went back to his cell, a keeper opened the door to let in another prisoner.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At seven o’clock the next morning Jurgis was let out to get water to wash his cell—a duty which he performed faithfully, but which most of the prisoners were accustomed to shirk, until their cells became so filthy that the guards interposed.
wire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one side of the court was a place for visitors, cut off by two heavy wire screens, a foot apart, so that nothing could be passed in to the prisoners; here Jurgis watched anxiously, but there came no one to see him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then he had more “duffers and dope,” and afterward was allowed three hours for exercise, in a long, cement-walked court roofed with glass.
