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 Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
colonists
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
common
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
Cyrus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
doubtless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
evidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
flashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
Granite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
Harding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
Harding's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
House
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
lips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
listening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
mingle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
occurrence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
Pencroft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
plateaunounUS /plateau/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
profiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
recollection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
strangelynounUS /ˈstrangely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
stranger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
tears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
Two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
unfortunate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Some recollection doubtless had flashed across his brain, and to use Cyrus Harding’s expression, by those tears he was once more a man.
wept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!
wish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Two days after this occurrence, the stranger appeared to wish gradually to mingle with their common life.
withdrew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The colonists left him for some time on the plateau, and withdrew themselves to a short distance, so that he might feel himself free; but he did not think of profiting by this liberty, and Harding soon brought him back to Granite House.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He evidently heard and understood, but no less evidently was he strangely determined not to speak to the colonists; for one evening, Pencroft, listening at the door of his room, heard these words escape from his lips:-- “No! here!
Yes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yes! the unfortunate man had wept!