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 I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
absolutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
accusing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
alien
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
combat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
deal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
deeper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
embodied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
endure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
evil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
exaggeration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
fears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
fix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
frost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
gathered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
heat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
insect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
juggle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
killed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
learnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
lifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
lowered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
malaria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
miasm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
misery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
overwhelmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
poisonous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
practise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
print
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
psychological
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
respite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
sanitation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
self-defense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
shutting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
sixty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
sources
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
speak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
state
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
swamps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
threw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The effect went deeper than I could say without accusing myself of exaggeration for both good and evil.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not absolutely fix the moment when I began to find my way out of the cloud of misery which lowered on my life, but I think that it was when I had gathered a little strength in my forced respite from work, and from the passing of the summer heat.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In self-defense I learnt to practise a psychological juggle; I came to deal with my own state of mind as another would deal with it, and to combat my fears as if they were alien.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
wrought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was as if the frost which people used to think put an end to the poisonous miasm of the swamps, but really only killed the insect sources of the malaria, had wrought a like sanitation in my fancy.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My fear when it once lifted never quite overwhelmed me again, but it was years before I could endure the sight of the word which embodied it; I shut the book or threw from me the paper where I found it in print; and even now, after sixty years, I cannot bring myself to write it or speak it without some such shutting of the heart as I knew at the sight or sound of it in that dreadful time.
