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 When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
afforded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
angles
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From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
anxiety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
balancenounUS /ˈbalance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
clear
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From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
confused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
consternation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
consulted
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From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
curious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
dangerouslyadverbUS /ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs.li/
In a way that involves danger or risk.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
degrees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
diminish
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From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
discouragement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
down
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From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
Duncan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
eagerness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
fastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
foundation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
get
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
greater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
guidance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
Hamish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
heaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
increase
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
inefficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
laboured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
lamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
lives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
Macalister
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
masonry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
masses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
mournful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
penetrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
picks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
pictures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
proceedings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
Rembrandt-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
risking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
ruin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
series
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
spades
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
stones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
SuchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
topple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
unanimity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
village
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
wall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
warning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masses of masonry which they laboured to clear away seemed to increase rather than diminish under their picks and spades--new angles of the wall giving way when they seemed to have come nearly to the foundation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
whispers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Such lamps as they could get from Macalister were fastened up among the heaps of ruin, and made a series of wild Rembrandt-like pictures in the gloom, but afforded little guidance to their work.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading After a while, with a mournful unanimity they stopped work and consulted in whispers what was to be done.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
workers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And now and then from above a mass of stones penetrated through and through by the fire, and kept in their place only by mere balance, would topple down without warning, dangerously near their heads, risking the very lives of the workers; upon whom discouragement gained as the night wore on, and no result was obtained.
yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
youths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the curious and the inefficient dropped away, as they did by degrees as night fell, there were left the three youths from the yacht, Hamish, Duncan, and two or three men from the village, enough to do a greater work than that which lay before them; but the darkness and the consternation, and even their very eagerness and anxiety, confused their proceedings.
