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A Reaping
A Reaping

Chapter III

Cover illustration for A Reaping
Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.
It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.
The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.
Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.
The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Reaping

Chapter III

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.
Line 2
It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.
Line 3
The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.
Line 4
Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.
Line 5
The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.”

Scarce adjective US /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading “The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.”

All words in this reading · 126

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 Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

apologetic

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

article

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

attempts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

black

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

blanketed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

blot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

breeze

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

came

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

canary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

ceased

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

cheques

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

chirping

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

clouds

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

confess

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

covering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

destruction

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

direct

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

dishonest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

distinguishable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

drawing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

earthwards

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

elms

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

end

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

entered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

eventual

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

experience

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

expressions

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

going

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

gone

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

Helen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

hills

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

hot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

hours

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

idiotic

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

intensely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

July

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

just

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

kept

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

land

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

lawn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

letters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

low

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

matter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

midnight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

mist

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

moonlight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

night

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

night-breath

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

nothingness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

ornamental

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

outline

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

overcast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

portending

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

produce

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

promise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

quarter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

ray

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

room

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

run

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

scape

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

September

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

serrated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

sky

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

starshine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

storm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

stupid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

sultry

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

thickly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

visible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

water-meadows

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though September had but a quarter more of its course to run, it was like some sultry July midnight, portending storm, for when I went out to take the night-breath the sky was thickly overcast, so that no direct ray either of moonlight or of starshine, came earthwards.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It had ceased chirping from experience when I told it I was going to confess to Helen.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

whiteness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The serrated outline of the elms at the end of the lawn was scarce distinguishable against the scape of the clouds, and the low land of the water-meadows was blanketed in a mist that was only just visible by its whiteness against the black blot of the hills behind.

windows

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading And then, what with apologetic letters, and the drawing of two or three cheques, and the stupid attempts, in this matter of the dishonest article, to produce something out of nothing, by covering up the nothingness by more ornamental expressions, and the eventual destruction of it all, I found that the two hours were gone, and that I had kept my promise to the idiotic canary.

working

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The night was intensely hot, and through the long open windows of the room in which I had been working no breeze entered.