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 MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
ankles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
became
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
breath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
chin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
extraordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
fingers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
fowl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
humiliating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
inch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
jerked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
kill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
lifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
MEN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
NIGHT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
perch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
pressure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
pullednounUS /pulled/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
Quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
realise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
roughly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
shook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
soft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
striking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
thud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
thumb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
thunderous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Quarter of an inch does it and no mark,' said the thunderous voice.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
Toussac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
unbearable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I felt the pressure of a thumb upon my chin and of fingers upon my throat, and my head was slowly forced round until the strain became unbearable.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading 'Let us make sure who he is first.'
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading MEN OF THE NIGHT I had little time given me to realise the extraordinary and humiliating position in which I found myself, for I was lifted up by my ankles, as if I were a fowl pulled off a perch, and jerked roughly down into the room, my back striking upon the stone floor with a thud which shook the breath from my body.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading 'Don't kill him yet, Toussac,' said a soft voice.
