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Quill's Window
Quill's Window

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for Quill's Window
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
He was trapped.
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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.

Quill's Window

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.
Line 2
Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.
Line 3
He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.
Line 4
He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?
Line 5
He was trapped.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.”

Added noun US /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?”

Drew noun US /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.”

Fool noun US /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?”

Glee noun US /ɡliː/

great delight or happiness

From this reading “He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?”

Shaking noun US /ˈshaking/

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

From this reading “He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?”

All words in this reading · 75

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 He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

addednounUS /added/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

appear

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

ATprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

away

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

breathing

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

cave

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

climber

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

close

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

Courtney

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

crashing

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

crept

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

drewnounUS /drew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

ease

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

eyes

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

far

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

farther

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

foolnounUS /fool/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

frowning

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

gleenounUS /ɡliː/

great delight or happiness

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

going

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

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

grew

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

ground

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

hand

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

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

head

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

held

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

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

knew

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

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

laboured

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

ledge

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

louder

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

mouth

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

narrow

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

nearer

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

opening

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

presently

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

QUILL'S

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

revolver

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

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

scraping

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

send

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

shakingnounUS /ˈshaking/

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

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

shoot

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

From this reading He held the revolver in his shaking hand, but he knew he was not going to shoot.

sort

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

sound

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

stertorous

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

strange

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

there

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

thick

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

thrilled

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

trapped

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

From this reading He was trapped.

use

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

watched

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

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?

WINDOW

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

From this reading AT QUILL'S WINDOW The scraping, laboured sound grew nearer and louder, and presently there was added the thick, stertorous breathing of the climber as he drew close to the mouth of the cave.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Courtney crept farther away from the opening and watched with narrow, frowning eyes for the head to appear above the ledge.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He thrilled with a strange sort of glee, however, at the thought of the ease with which he could send the fool crashing to the ground far below, but what would be the use?