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 At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were almost deserted.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
cannon-balls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
CONRAD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONRAD UNDER THE WINDOW-SEAT.
dangerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
descried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading The streets were almost deserted.
dimly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
doubly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
energy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
extinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
falling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
fanning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
fire-brigade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
flames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
Freiberg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
gain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
glarenounUS /glare/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
hostile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
intervals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
lurid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
prompt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
protection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
stealing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
stones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were almost deserted.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
struggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONRAD UNDER THE WINDOW-SEAT.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading CONRAD UNDER THE WINDOW-SEAT.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
watchfulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
wayfarer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only now and then might some wayfarer be dimly descried stealing along, keeping close in to the houses so as to gain some slight protection from the falling stones and cannon-balls.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The streets were almost deserted.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At intervals the gloom was lighted up for a few minutes by the lurid glare of some burning house set on fire by a hostile shell, and as quickly extinguished by the prompt watchfulness and energy of the fire-brigade, whose members had to struggle against a strong wind that by fanning the flames made them doubly dangerous.
WINDOW-SEAT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CONRAD UNDER THE WINDOW-SEAT.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading It was early in the afternoon, yet the long winter night already lay dark over the city of Freiberg.
