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Clayhanger
Clayhanger

Chapter XXVIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ TWO.
"Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.
At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.
Hilda paused.
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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.

Clayhanger

Chapter XXVIII

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.
Line 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------ TWO.
Line 3
"Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.
Line 4
At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.
Line 5
Hilda paused.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.”

Length noun US /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading “Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.”

All words in this reading · 67

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 Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

arm

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

back

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

coldly

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

door

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

Edwin

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

emerging

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

end

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

far

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

firelight

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

flickering

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

footstep

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

front

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

gesture

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

girl

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

glimpse

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

hall

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

hand

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

head

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

heavy

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

Hilda

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

From this reading Hilda paused.

holding

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

instant

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

knew

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

lamp

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

man's

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

moment

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

oblong

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

opened

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

opening

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

paused

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

From this reading Hilda paused.

said

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

shoulders

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

showed

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

straightened

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

subjugated

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

then

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

there

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

From this reading At the same moment another door opened at the far end of the hall; there was a heavy footstep; a great hand and arm showed, and then Edwin had a glimpse of a man's head and shoulders emerging from an oblong flickering firelight.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

TWO

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

From this reading ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TWO.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

way

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

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

wick

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

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

Willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Having at length subjugated the wick, she straightened her back, with a gesture that he knew, and for one instant she was a girl again.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Will you come this way?" she said coldly, holding the lamp in front of her, and opening a door.