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Chapter IV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Bastian Cautley, M.D.
It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.
He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.
His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.
The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.
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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.

Superseded

Chapter IV

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Bastian Cautley, M.D.
Line 2
It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.
Line 3
He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.
Line 4
His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.
Line 5
The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.”

Nobody pronoun US /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading “He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.”

Pipe noun US /pipe/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading “His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.”

Thinking noun US /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.”

All words in this reading · 109

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 It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

all

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

armchairs

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

attitude

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

away

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

Bastian

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

From this reading Bastian Cautley, M.D.

beatific

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

became

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

betrayed

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

book

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

book-shelves

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

Cautley

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

From this reading Bastian Cautley, M.D.

confused

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

consultation

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

D

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

From this reading Bastian Cautley, M.D.

double-walled

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

down

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

Dr

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

ease

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

end

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

far

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

fire

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

five

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

half-past

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

happy

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

hard

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

Heaven

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

higher

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

hour

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

house

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

humming

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

increasing

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

intellect

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

jacket

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

kind

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

lazy

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

library

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

loosened

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

M

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

From this reading Bastian Cautley, M.D.

maidservant

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

merged

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

more

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

most

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

nine

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

now

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

o'clock

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

once

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

pipe

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

put

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

reckless

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

room

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

round

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

sensation

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

settled

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

smoke

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

soundless

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

state

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

stretched

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

superlatively

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

tendency

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

thanking

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

thinkingnounUS /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

two

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.

underground

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

From this reading The room was double-walled with book-shelves, and but for the far away underground humming of a happy maidservant the house was soundless.

unrestful

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

very

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

voluptuous

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

waistcoat

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

weary

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading His very intellect (the most unrestful part of him) was at rest; all his weary being merged in a confused voluptuous sensation, a beatific state in which smoking became a higher kind of thinking, and thought betrayed an increasing tendency to end in smoke.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was half-past five and Dr. Bastian Cautley had put on his house jacket, loosened his waistcoat, settled down by his library fire with a pipe and a book, and was thanking Heaven that for once he had an hour to himself between his afternoon round and his time for consultation.

working

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

From this reading He had been working hard ever since nine o'clock in the morning; but now nobody could have looked more superlatively lazy than Bastian Cautley as he stretched himself on two armchairs in an attitude of reckless ease.