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 My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
arrive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
beating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
beggarnounUS /ˈbɛɡər/
a person who asks for money or food
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
blind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
broom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
bush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
crept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
Down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Down with the door!”
eight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
enemies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
ereconjunctionUS /er/
an old word for “before”
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
lantern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.
MydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
paces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.
road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
sheltering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
stronger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
Three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
trio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Three men ran together, hand in hand; and I made out, even through the mist, that the middle man of this trio was the blind beggar.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next moment his voice showed me that I was right.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading My curiosity, in a sense, was stronger than my fear, for I could not remain where I was, but crept back to the bank again, whence, sheltering my head behind a bush of broom, I might command the road before our door.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I was scarcely in position ere my enemies began to arrive, seven or eight of them, running hard, their feet beating out of time along the road and the man with the lantern some paces in front.