Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
Anstice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
arranged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
assumed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
begun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
beings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
burned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
Carstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
carved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
cautiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
charged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
chess-board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
chess-lovers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
chess-players
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
chink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
Chloe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
coal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
completenounUS /complete/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
converse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
crossed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
curtains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
dancing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
decisively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
disarraynounUS /disarray/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
distinctness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
duel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
emptiness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
enter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
extravagance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
fancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
fantastic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
fill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
finally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
finish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
folds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
game
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
gas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
ghostly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
gleam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
glow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
growing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
husband
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
illumined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
imaginative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
inveterate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
issue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
jumbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
lack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
lately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
Major
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
mere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
pathetic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
peculiarly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
peeped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
peopled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
queer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
rearrange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
revel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
shadows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
specially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
sputtered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
stately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
steady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
strenuously-contested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
tiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
uncanny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
visitors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
whispered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The chairs were standing about with the peculiarly uncanny effect known to all who enter a room after it has been finally deserted for the night--an effect as of waiting for some ghostly visitors to fill their pathetic emptiness and hold high revel or stately converse in the place lately peopled by mere human beings.
window-recess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was very dark in the window-recess, shut off from the room by the heavy blue curtains which fell to the floor in thick folds.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The room itself was not in complete darkness, for the fire, built up by Chloe with assumed extravagance before she went to bed, had burned down to a steady red glow, now and then illumined by a dancing gleam of light as a tiny flame of gas sputtered from some specially charged coal; and as Anstice peeped cautiously through a carefully arranged chink in the curtains he could see the pretty room with fair distinctness.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the fantastic thought crossed his mind Anstice sat up decisively, telling himself he was growing imaginative; and Major Carstairs turned to him with a whispered word.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On a little table by the fire stood a chess-board, the old carved red and white pieces standing on it in jumbled disarray; for Chloe and her husband, both inveterate chess-lovers, had begun a game which they were unable, through lack of time, to finish; and as his eyes fell on the board Anstice had a queer fancy that if he and Major Carstairs were not present two ghostly chess-players would issue softly from the shadows and rearrange the pieces for another and perhaps more strenuously-contested duel.
