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Far from the Madding Crowd
Far from the Madding Crowd

Chapter II · Night—the Flock—an Interior—another Interior

Night—the Flock—an Interior—another Interior, section 1: It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year. A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon a
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.
A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.
Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.
It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.
The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.
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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.

Far from the Madding Crowd

Chapter II · Night—the Flock—an Interior—another Interior

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.
Line 2
A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.
Line 3
Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.
Line 4
It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.
Line 5
The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

Learner Dictionary

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

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.”

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.”

Chalk noun US /tʃɔːk/

A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.

From this reading “It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.”

All words in this reading · 105

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 A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

any

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

approaching

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

arched

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

beeches

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/

A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

confusion

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

convexity

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

covered

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

crest

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

curve

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

day

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

days

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

decaying

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

desolating

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

dizzy

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

down

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

earlier

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

earth

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

eve

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

Ewelease

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

far

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

featureless

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

few

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

formed

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

forming

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

fringing

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

globe

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

grander

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

granite

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

heights

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

hill

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

indestructible

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

like

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

line

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

mane

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

midnight

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

nearly

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

Norcombe

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

north

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

northern

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

Oak

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

occupant

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

ordinary

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

outlined

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

passer-by

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

plantation

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

precipices

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

presence

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

protuberances

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

remain

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

shape

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

shortest

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

side

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

sky

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

smoothly

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

soil

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

some

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

specimen

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

spots

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

St

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

suggest

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

sunshine

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

Thomas's

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

topple

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

undisturbed

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

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

upper

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

verge

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

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

waggon

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

wandered

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

watched

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was a featureless convexity of chalk and soil—an ordinary specimen of those smoothly outlined protuberances of the globe which may remain undisturbed on some great day of confusion, when far grander heights and dizzy granite precipices topple down.

whereon

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Norcombe Hill—forming part of Norcombe Ewelease—was one of the spots which suggest to a passer-by that he is in the presence of a shape approaching the indestructible as nearly as any to be found on earth.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading The hill was covered on its northern side by an ancient and decaying plantation of beeches, whose upper verge formed a line over the crest, fringing its arched curve against the sky, like a mane.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.

year

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

From this reading It was nearly midnight on the eve of St. Thomas’s, the shortest day in the year.

yellow

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

From this reading A desolating wind wandered from the north over the hill whereon Oak had watched the yellow waggon and its occupant in the sunshine of a few days earlier.