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Half A Chance
Half A Chance

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for Half A Chance
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.
At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.
"Enough to go out with!"
The player, Captain Forsythe, counted his score.
"Shall we say another, Steele?"
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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.

Half A Chance

Chapter XV

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.
Line 2
At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.
Line 3
"Enough to go out with!"
Line 4
The player, Captain Forsythe, counted his score.
Line 5
"Shall we say another, Steele?"

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “"Shall we say another, Steele?"”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “The player, Captain Forsythe, counted his score.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.”

Score noun US /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “"Shall we say another, Steele?"”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading “FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

adjoining

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading "Shall we say another, Steele?"

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

balls

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

better

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

billiard

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

bright

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

briskly

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

came

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading The player, Captain Forsythe, counted his score.

clicked

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

counted

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

From this reading The player, Captain Forsythe, counted his score.

dancers

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

Enough

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

From this reading "Enough to go out with!"

FESTIVITIES

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

finished

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

Forsythe

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

From this reading The player, Captain Forsythe, counted his score.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

game

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

go

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

From this reading "Enough to go out with!"

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

hall

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The player, Captain Forsythe, counted his score.

House

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

men

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

more

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

music

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

number

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

once

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

out

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

From this reading "Enough to go out with!"

persons

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

player

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

From this reading The player, Captain Forsythe, counted his score.

playing

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

room

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

say

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

From this reading "Shall we say another, Steele?"

scorenounUS /score/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

separated

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

Shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "Shall we say another, Steele?"

shone

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

showed

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

skilful

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

sound

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

spacious

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

Steele

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

From this reading "Shall we say another, Steele?"

Strathorn

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

stroke

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

tables

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Enough to go out with!"

together

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

two

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

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

watching

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "Shall we say another, Steele?"

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading At one of the tables two men had about finished a game; by the skilful stroke of him who showed the better score, the balls clicked briskly, separated, and came together once more.

windows

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

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "Enough to go out with!"

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading FESTIVITIES The windows in Strathorn House shone bright; from within came the sound of music; in the billiard room, adjoining the spacious hall, a number of persons were smoking, playing, or watching the dancers.