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Nevermore
Nevermore

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for Nevermore
Context Illustration Reading 1/63 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.
When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.
He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.
Indeed one of his fellows in adversity noticed it.
Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?
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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.

Nevermore

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/63 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.
Line 2
When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.
Line 3
He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.
Line 4
Indeed one of his fellows in adversity noticed it.
Line 5
Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

Learner Dictionary

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

Adversity noun US /ədˈvɝː.sə.t̬i/

Difficulties; misfortune and hardship faced with courage.

From this reading “Indeed one of his fellows in adversity noticed it.”

Comrades noun US /ˈkɑːmrædz/

people who share difficult work or danger, especially soldiers

From this reading “When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.”

Fool noun US /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.”

Free adjective US /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading “When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.”

Growled noun US /ˈgrowled/

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

From this reading “Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Indeed one of his fellows in adversity noticed it.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

adversitynounUS /ədˈvɝː.sə.t̬i/

Difficulties; misfortune and hardship faced with courage.

From this reading Indeed one of his fellows in adversity noticed it.

almost

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

anxiety

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

barely

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

bearing

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

bloomin

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

came

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

causing

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

chained

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

chains

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

change

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

clank

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

compelled

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

comradesnounUS /ˈkɑːmrædz/

people who share difficult work or danger, especially soldiers

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

concealed

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

countenance

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

day

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

deck

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

detect

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

elastic

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

exultation

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

feared

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

fellows

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

From this reading Indeed one of his fellows in adversity noticed it.

foolnounUS /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

freeadjectiveUS /friː/

acting without enough restraint or discipline

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

growlednounUS /ˈgrowled/

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

Indeed

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

From this reading Indeed one of his fellows in adversity noticed it.

irons

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

Keen

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

Lance

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

man

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

more

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

morrow

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

nervous

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

night

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

noticed

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

From this reading Indeed one of his fellows in adversity noticed it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

once

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Indeed one of his fellows in adversity noticed it.

out

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

pace

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

prison

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

slightest

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

spite

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

step-dancing

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

stereotyped

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

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

trusted

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

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

unusually

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

very

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

visible

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

week

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When compelled to pace the deck for the last morning, as he trusted, with his chained comrades, he barely concealed his exultation at the thought that on the morrow he might be a free man once more.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It came at last--the week--the day--the very night to which Lance had looked forward with such nervous anxiety.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He feared it would be visible in his countenance, in his very step, which in spite of himself was almost elastic, causing his chains to clank unusually.

yepronounUS /jiː/

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Keen to detect the slightest change from the stereotyped prison bearing, he growled out, 'What the ---- are ye at, step-dancing with your bloomin' irons, ye ---- fool?