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 only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I slowly struggled back to a knowledge of things about me.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
afterwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
aprons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
arose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
awoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I slowly struggled back to a knowledge of things about me.
Bandages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
caps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
chloroform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
consciousness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
doctors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
dresses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
expressions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
FACTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
FURTHER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
giddiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
keen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
knowledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I slowly struggled back to a knowledge of things about me.
learn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
linen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
narrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
nausea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
nurses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I slowly struggled back to a knowledge of things about me.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
performed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
RECORDS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I slowly struggled back to a knowledge of things about me.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
struggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I slowly struggled back to a knowledge of things about me.
subsequently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I slowly struggled back to a knowledge of things about me.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Bandages were around my throat and across my left shoulder, and I felt a nausea and a giddiness that I knew arose from chloroform, and therefore that some operation had been performed.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading RECORDS FURTHER FACTS How long I remained there, or what subsequently happened to me, I did not learn till long afterwards.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I only knew, when I again awoke to consciousness, that it was day, and I found myself in a narrow bed, with two nurses in blue linen dresses, and white caps and aprons, standing near me, while two doctors were gazing into my face with keen, anxious expressions.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At first they would tell me nothing, even though, with a great effort, I asked what had happened.
