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 Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
bent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
breadth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
cautiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
closet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
crack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
creak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
ear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
finger's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
footfall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
gently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
hair's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
hearnounUS /hear/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
heavier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
imperceptibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
inch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
indicated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
intent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
loop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
Motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
noiselessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
paneled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
peered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
quiver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
rifle-fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
rustling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
seam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
shoulder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
solid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
THENDARA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
traveling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
wainscot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THENDARA Motionless, intent, holding my breath, I listened at the paneled wall.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And now my eyes began traveling cautiously over the paneled wall, against which I had laid my ear.
widening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gave, almost imperceptibly; I pressed again, and the hidden door opened a hair's breadth, a finger's breadth, an inch, widening, widening noiselessly; and I bent forward and peered into another closet like the one I stood in, also lighted by a loop for rifle-fire.
window
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Through the wainscot I could hear the low rustling of paper; and I seemed to sense some heavier movement within, though the solid floor did not creak, nor a window quiver, nor a footfall sound.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading No crack or seam indicated a hidden door, yet I knew there must be one, and gently pressed the wainscot with my shoulder.
