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 The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
abroad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
becoming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And gradually he was becoming familiar with his father's repertory of Greek quotations.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
Benham's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
benighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
Bisse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
chill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
convalescence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
deserts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
expeditions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And gradually he was becoming familiar with his father's repertory of Greek quotations.
father
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
gradually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And gradually he was becoming familiar with his father's repertory of Greek quotations.
Greek
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And gradually he was becoming familiar with his father's repertory of Greek quotations.
guides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
ice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
impatient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
insistence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
joint
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
modestly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
Montana
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
mountains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
occasions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
peaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
pipes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
precautionsplural nounUS /prɪˈkɔʃənz/
actions taken to prevent danger
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
precipice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
quotations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And gradually he was becoming familiar with his father's repertory of Greek quotations.
reckless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
recognized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
repertory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And gradually he was becoming familiar with his father's repertory of Greek quotations.
ropes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
sagely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
Theodule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
tiresome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
unskilful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
vacations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One or two of the long vacations they spent abroad together.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
wander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He wanted to wander in deserts of ice and see over the mountains, and discover what it is to be benighted on a precipice.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The father thought the son reckless, unskilful, and impatient; the son found the father's insistence upon guides, ropes, precautions, the recognized way, the highest point and back again before you get a chill, and talk about it sagely but very, very modestly over pipes, tiresome.
Zermatt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last of these occasions followed Benham's convalescence at Montana and his struggle with the Bisse; the two went to Zermatt and did several peaks and crossed the Theodule, and it was clear that their joint expeditions were a strain upon both of them.
