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 OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
African
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
Algiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
aloes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
Arab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
architecture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
autumn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
azure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
beach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
Beni
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
blazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
burnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
concierge's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
coolness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
copper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
DEATH-TRAP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
domes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
dusty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
facing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
feathery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
fiacre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
fiery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
finest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
flowers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
garden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
gates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
geraniums
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
giant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
gigantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
gilded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
golden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
grounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
Hassan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
highway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
iron-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
janitor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
livery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
lodge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
long-arched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
minarets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
Moorish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
oleanders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
OPENS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
ornamental
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
overpowering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
palms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
perfect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
picturesque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
pointsettias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
princely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
pullednounUS /pulled/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
red-and-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
residence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
ricketty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
ringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
roses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
salaamed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
shining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
sloping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
spacious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
suburbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
tall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
tangle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
tropical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
Truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
Villa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Truly it was a princely residence, one of the finest in the picturesque suburbs of Algiers.
well-kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At length the ricketty fiacre pulled up before great gates of ornamental iron-work, the tops of which were gilded, and on ringing, a gigantic Arab janitor in blue and gold livery appeared from the concierge's lodge, and salaamed.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That afternoon beneath the blazing African sun, shining like burnished copper, all was still in the fiery heat, which, after the coolness of autumn in England, seemed overpowering.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A high white wall hid it from the dusty highway, its position being between the road and the sea with spacious, well-kept grounds sloping away down to the golden beach.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading OPENS A DEATH-TRAP The Villa Beni Hassan, a great red-and-white house of Moorish architecture, with three large domes, and many minarets, and long-arched windows of stained glass, I found standing high up, facing the azure sea, amid a wonderful tropical garden full of tall, feathery palms, dark oleanders, fiery pointsettias, and a perfect tangle of aloes, roses, giant geraniums and other brilliant flowers.
