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 A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
absurd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
age
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The climax of all things was at hand.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
approaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The climax of all things was at hand.
BALANCEnounUS /ˈbalance/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
bitter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
characters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
choice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
climax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The climax of all things was at hand.
confess
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From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
contents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
daughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
deceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
disappointmentnounUS /ˈdisappointment/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
doom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
five-and-twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
foresworn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The climax of all things was at hand.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
letter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
LIFEnounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
Marionis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
presentiments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
sick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
talk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The climax of all things was at hand.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
traitress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
unworthy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
vownounUS /vaʊ/
a serious promise
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The time was approaching when I must keep my vow, or confess myself foresworn--an unworthy daughter of the Marionis.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As plainly as though I saw it written up in characters of fire, I knew its contents and my doom.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading A LIFE IN THE BALANCE I suppose it is absurd to talk about presentiments, and yet I knew what was in that letter.
youth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a bitter choice, for there was a life in either balance; the life of this traitress of five-and-twenty years ago, or of an old man sick to the heart with disappointment; deceived by a woman in his youth, and a woman again in his old age.
