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The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia is here in full — 378 sentences across 76 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia
Context Illustration Reading 1/75 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.
Volume 1, Chapter XI.
It was a dark and stormy night.
The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.
The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia

Chapter IV

Chapter 4 of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia is here in full — 378 sentences across 76 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/75 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.
Line 2
Volume 1, Chapter XI.
Line 3
It was a dark and stormy night.
/ɪt wɑːz ə dɑːrk ənd ˈstɔːrmi naɪt/
Line 4
The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.
Line 5
The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

extinguishing noun US /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/

the act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning

From this reading “The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.”

fitful adjective US /ˈfɪtfəl/

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading “The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.”

gusts noun US /ɡʌsts/

plural of “gust” — a strong current of air

From this reading “The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.”

pacing noun US /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/

(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played

From this reading “Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.”

pathway noun US /ˈpæθweɪ/

a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain

From this reading “The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.”

slime verb US /slaɪm/

cover or stain with slime

From this reading “The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.”

slippery adjective US /ˈslɪpəri/

causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide

From this reading “The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.”

torrents noun US /ˈtɔːrənts/

plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain

From this reading “The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

fitful gusts adjective + noun counted as “fitful gust”

In this reading “The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.”

stormy night adjective + noun

In this reading “It was a dark and stormy night.”

issued from verb + particle counted as “issue from”

In this reading “The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.”

large cloak adjective + noun

In this reading “The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.”

side door noun + noun

an exterior door at one side of a building

In this reading “The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.”

in torrents preposition + noun counted as “in torrent”

In this reading “The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.”

All words in this reading · 96

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

1

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

From this reading Volume 1, Chapter XI.

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 a dark and stormy night.

abroadadverbUS /əˈbrɔːd/

to or in a foreign country

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

apparentlyadverbUS /əˈperəntli/

from appearances alone

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

avocations

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

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

blewverbUS /bluː/

inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

boisterousnessnoun

a turbulent and stormy state of the sea

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

ChapternounUS /ˈtʃæptər/

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading Volume 1, Chapter XI.

cloaknounUS /kloʊk/

anything that covers or conceals

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

closelyadverbUS /ˈkloʊsli/

in a close relation or position in time or space

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

continuedadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːd/

without stop or interruption

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

CountverbUS /kaʊnt/

determine the number or amount of

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

darknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night.

departedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪd/

well in the past; former

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

difficultiesnounUS /ˈdɪfəkəltiz/

plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

entirelyadverbUS /ɪnˈtaɪərli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

envynounUS /ˈenvi/

a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

Erintoff

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

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

extinguishingnounUS /ɪkˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/

the act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

feebleadjectiveUS /ˈfiːbəl/

pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

feelingsnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋz/

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/

a diagram or picture illustrating textual material

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/

occurring in spells and often abruptly

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

floornounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

Groff

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

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

gustsnounUS /ɡʌsts/

plural of “gust” — a strong current of air

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

ill-lighted

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

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

inclemencynoun

weather unsuitable for outdoor activities

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/

contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

issuedverbUS /ˈɪʃuːd/

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

lampsnounUS /læmps/

plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

mudnounUS /mʌd/

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/

being or made softer or less loud or clear

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night.

notwithstandingadverbUS /ˌnɑːtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/

despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

pacingnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪŋ/

(music) the speed at which a composition is to be played

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

pathwaynounUS /ˈpæθweɪ/

a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

personsnounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

possessionnounUS /pəˈzeʃən/

the act of having and controlling property

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

rainnounUS /reɪn/

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/

something left after other parts have been taken away

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

roadnounUS /roʊd/

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

rushedadjectiveUS /rʌʃt/

done under pressure

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

shieldnounUS /ʃiːld/

a protective covering or structure

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

slimeverbUS /slaɪm/

cover or stain with slime

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/

causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/

(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night.

stragglingadjective

spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

streetsnounUS /striːts/

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

tempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/

a violent commotion or disturbance

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

torrentsnounUS /ˈtɔːrənts/

plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/

lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

violentadjectiveUS /ˈvaɪələnt/

acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

VolumenounUS /ˈvɑːljuːm/

the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading Volume 1, Chapter XI.

wanderingadjectiveUS /ˈwɑːndərɪŋ/

migratory

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a dark and stormy night.

weathernounUS /ˈweðər/

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

windnounUS /waɪnd/

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The wind blew in violent and fitful gusts through the ill-lighted and irregular streets, now and then entirely extinguishing some of the few straggling lamps, while the remainder gave but a feeble and uncertain light, as the rain rushed down in torrents, making the road and pathway slippery with slime and mud.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading Groff departed, and the Count continued pacing the floor with feelings, of which few would envy him the possession.

XInounUS /ʃiː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of ten and one

From this reading Volume 1, Chapter XI.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading The night had just closed in; yet, notwithstanding the inclemency and boisterousness of the weather, and the difficulties of the road, persons were still wandering abroad on various avocations, when a figure closely muffled in a large cloak, (apparently to shield himself from the tempest), issued from a side door of the palace of the Count Erintoff.

Chapter 4 of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia by William Henry Giles Kingston holds 378 sentences, grouped into 76 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 4 of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia contain?

Chapter 4 holds 378 sentences of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia, unabridged, divided into 76 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia by William Henry Giles Kingston exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 378 sentences, grouped into 76 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 4 of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia?

Work through the 76 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 76 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

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Common questions about reading The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia by William Henry Giles Kingston on this page, its source edition and its audio.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #34485, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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About 563 minutes of reading across 1352 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Circassian
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chief
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Kingston
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Volume
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Circassian Chief: A Romance of Russia; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.