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 Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
alcove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
angles
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
arched
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From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
burlesque
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From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
canvas
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From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading THIS is what my cell is like:
clad
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From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
corridor
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
door
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From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
Eight
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
enter
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From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
exterior
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
feet
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
few
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
flagstones
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
flooring
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
four
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
frock
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From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
hang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
heaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
hewn
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From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
inches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THIS is what my cell is like:
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
kind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THIS is what my cell is like:
linen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
masses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THIS is what my cell is like:
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
prisoner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
rags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
recess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
repose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
right-hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
skies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
sort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
spiders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
straw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
THISdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THIS is what my cell is like:
thrown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
trousers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Eight feet square, four walls of hewn stone standing at right angles upon a flooring of flagstones raised a few inches above the exterior corridor.
webs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above my head, instead of the skies of heaven, is an arched roof, from which hang huge spiders’ webs like masses of rags.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THIS is what my cell is like:
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A heap of straw has been thrown into it, on which the prisoner is expected to repose and sleep, clad in his canvas trousers and linen frock, winter and summer.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading On the right-hand side of the door as you enter is a kind of recess, a sort of burlesque alcove.
