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 THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
assured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
blew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
energetic and quick
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a group of things tied or wrapped together
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
clammy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
cottage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
discussion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
drifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
elders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
evident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
experiences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
forlorn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
France
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
guided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
home-coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
ill-omened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
invisible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
jangled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
landed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
landmarks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
loss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
miserable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
nerves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
occurred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
paces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
PASSAGEnounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
political
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
singular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
smouldered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
softened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
terriblenounUS /ˈterrible/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
trudged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
turning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
welcome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For my part, wet and miserable, with my forlorn bundle under my arm, and my nerves all jangled by my terrible experiences, I trudged in silence by his side, turning over in my mind all that had occurred to me.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE SECRET PASSAGE The fire had already smouldered down, and my companion blew out the lamp, so that we had not taken ten paces before we had lost sight of the ill-omened cottage, in which I had received so singular a welcome upon my home-coming.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wind had softened down, but a fine rain, cold and clammy, came drifting up from the sea.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Had I been left to myself I should have found myself as much at a loss as I had been when I first landed; but my companion walked with a brisk and assured step, so that it was evident that he guided himself by landmarks which were invisible to me.
Young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Young as I was, I had heard much political discussion amongst my elders in England, and the state of affairs in France was perfectly familiar to me.