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Cobwebs and Cables
Cobwebs and Cables

Chapter XXIV

Cover illustration for Cobwebs and Cables
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE LOWEST DEEPS.
The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.
There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.
A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.
The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Cobwebs and Cables

Chapter XXIV

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE LOWEST DEEPS.
Line 2
The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.
Line 3
There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.
Line 4
A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.
Line 5
The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.”

Cell noun US /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading “There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.”

Half noun US /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.”

Name noun US /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.”

Save preposition US /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading “The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.”

Thither adverb US /ˈðɪθɜːr/

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading “The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.”

All words in this reading · 98

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 There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

abode

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

bare

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

bed

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

bore

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

box

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

busy

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

cellnounUS /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

chips

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

comfort

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

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

covered

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

dark

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

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

DEEPS

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

From this reading THE LOWEST DEEPS.

delapidated

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

door

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

doorway

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

drawn

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

dry

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

dust

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

Engelberg

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

entered

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

entrance

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

fell

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

ferns

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

filled

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

fingers

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

fixed

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

floor

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

forest

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

framework

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

grave

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

graver

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

halfnounUS /half/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

home

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

hovel

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

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

hut

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

irresistibly

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

Jean

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

less

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

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

light

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

log

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

LOWEST

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

From this reading THE LOWEST DEEPS.

Merle's

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

miserable

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

monk's

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

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

namenounUS /name/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

near

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

oak-wood

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

only

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

out

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

provision

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

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

Roland

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

rough

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

rude

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

seat

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

Sefton's

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

served

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

straw

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE LOWEST DEEPS.

There

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

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

timber

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

tool

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

unbarked

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.

upper

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

usually

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

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

valley

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was less provision for comfort in this dark hovel than in a monk's cell.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The floor was bare, except near the door, the upper half of which usually stood open, and here it was covered with fine chips of box and oak-wood, and the dust which fell from his busy graver, the tool which was never out of his fingers while the light served him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The miserable, delapidated hut at the entrance of Engelberg, with no light save that which entered by the doorway, had been Jean Merle's home since he had fixed his abode in the valley, drawn thither irresistibly by the grave which bore Roland Sefton's name.

wood

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

From this reading A log of rough, unbarked timber from the forest was the only seat, and a rude framework of wood filled with straw or dry ferns was his bed.