Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
Salted with Fire
Salted with Fire

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for Salted with Fire
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.
He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.
When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.
The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!
He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Salted with Fire

Chapter XX

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.
Line 2
He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.
Line 3
When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.
Line 4
The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!
Line 5
He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

Learner Dictionary

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

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.”

Whence adverb US /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading “He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.”

All words in this reading · 103

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 The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

abated

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

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

ablest

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

almost

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

any

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

aspect

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

burst

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

certain

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

comfort

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

completely

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

cowardly

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

darkness

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

derived

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

discovery

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

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

enemy

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

fact

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

feeble

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

felt

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

forget

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

gave

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

grew

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

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

hidden

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

hide

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

horizon

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

Isy

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

known

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

live

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

minister

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

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

miserable

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

moment

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

moments

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

most

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

news

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

now

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

offence

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

out

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

past

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

persuaded

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

portion

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

quieter

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

rather

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

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

reached

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

recall

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

reflection

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

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

retrospect

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He derived, however, a feeble and right cowardly comfort from the reflection that he had done nothing to hide the miserable fact, and could not now.

satisfaction

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

terror

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

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

threatening

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

unable

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

unrepented

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

From this reading The darkness and silence left over it by his unrepented offence, gave it, in his retrospect, a threatening aspect—out of which at any moment might burst the hidden enemy, the thing that might be known, and must not be known!

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As time went on, the terror of discovery grew rather than abated in the mind of the minister.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

whenceadverbUS /wens/

an old word meaning “from where”

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

why

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When most persuaded of this, he felt ablest to live and forget the past, of which he was unable to recall any portion with satisfaction.

world

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

From this reading He could not tell whence or why it should be so, for no news of Isy reached him, and he felt, in his quieter moments, almost certain that she could not have passed so completely out of his horizon, if she were still in the world.