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 A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
accusation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
act
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
Afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
appear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
attempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
attempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But she failed utterly.
caught
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
clothe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
definite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
demand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
dignity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
DirectlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
ENEMY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
explanation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/
to show or communicate a feeling or idea
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
failed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she failed utterly.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
gratification
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
Helen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
herspronounUS /hərz/
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
immodest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
improbability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
intrusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
kindle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
ludicrous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
realize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
reprehensible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
ShepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
shreds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
spasmodic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
stand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
suspicions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
TERRIBLEnounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
uncomfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
unwarrantable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A TERRIBLE ENEMY Afterwards Helen looked back upon those few moments as the most uncomfortable of her life.
utterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she failed utterly.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
vividly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
vulgar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She made one spasmodic attempt to kindle her suspicions into a definite accusation, to stand upon her dignity, and demand an explanation of what she had seen.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was caught in the very act of a most unwarrantable and even immodest intrusion, which in the eyes of these two men could only appear like the attempted gratification of a reprehensible and vulgar curiosity.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly she tried to clothe the shreds of this idea of hers with words, and to express them, she seemed to vividly realize the almost ludicrous improbability of the whole thing.
