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The Queen's Necklace
The Queen's Necklace

Chapter XLVI

Chapter 46, section 1: THE DESERTED HOUSE. When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were
Context Illustration Reading 1/5 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE DESERTED HOUSE.
When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.
Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.
The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.
He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.
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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.

The Queen's Necklace

Chapter XLVI

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

Line 1
THE DESERTED HOUSE.
Line 2
When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.
Line 3
Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.
Line 4
The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.
Line 5
He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.

Learner Dictionary

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

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading “He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.”

Courtyard noun US /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading “The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.”

DESERTED verb US /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading “THE DESERTED HOUSE.”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.”

Required noun US /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.”

Strength noun US /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading “Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.”

All words in this reading · 64

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 Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

acquainted

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

age

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

all

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

applied

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

arrived

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

away

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

From this reading The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

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

From this reading He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

Cagliostro

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

Claude

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

courtyardnounUS /ˈkɔːrtjɑːrd/

an open area surrounded by the walls of a building

From this reading The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.

crumbling

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

From this reading The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.

damp

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

dark

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

DESERTEDverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

left a place or vessel without intending to return

From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE.

desolate

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

From this reading The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.

door

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

entered

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

From this reading He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.

few

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

getting

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.

hall

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

From this reading He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

HOUSE

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

From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

key

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

lamp

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

From this reading He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.

lighted

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

From this reading He entered the hall, and lighted a lamp which he had brought with him.

lock

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.

moss

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

From this reading The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

overgrown

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

From this reading The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.

people

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

pocket

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

readers

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

requirednounUS /required/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

Rue

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

seen

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

St

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

steps

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

From this reading The courtyard was overgrown with moss, the steps crumbling away; all looked desolate and deserted.

stiff

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

streets

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

swollen

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

From this reading Cagliostro drew a key from his pocket, and applied it to the lock; but the door was swollen with the damp, and stiff with age, and it required all his strength to open it.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE DESERTED HOUSE.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When Cagliostro arrived at the deserted house in the Rue St. Claude, with which our readers are already acquainted, it was getting dark, and but few people were to be seen in the streets.