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The Emancipated
The Emancipated

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for The Emancipated
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.
Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.
Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.
Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.
A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.
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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.

The Emancipated

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.
Line 2
Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.
Line 3
Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.
Line 4
Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.
Line 5
A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

Learner Dictionary

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

Answered noun US /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading “Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.”

All words in this reading · 65

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 Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

answerednounUS /ˈanswered/

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

bell

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

Belsize

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

From this reading THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.

blind

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

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

bright

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

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

Cecily

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

Cecily's

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

DEFENDED

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

From this reading THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.

distinctly

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

door

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

Elgar

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

ending

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

few

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

front

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

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

hall

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

house

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

From this reading THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

kind

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

library

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

lifeless

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

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

Light

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

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

made

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

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

maid-servant

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

Mr

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

night

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

once

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

opened

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

Park

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

From this reading THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

PROPRIETIES

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

From this reading THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.

rays

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

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

reading-lamp

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

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

ring

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

said

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

sat

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

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

shone

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

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

sounded

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

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

sphere

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

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

spoken

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

table

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

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

upper

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

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE PROPRIETIES DEFENDED The house was in Belsize Park.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Cecily's ring at the bell sounded distinctly; it was answered at once by a maid-servant, who said that Mr. Elgar was still in the library.

windows

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

From this reading Light shone through the blind of one of the upper windows, but the rest of the front was lifeless.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading A reading-lamp made a bright sphere on the table, but no one sat within its rays.

words

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

From this reading Having spoken a few words, ending with a kind good night, Cecily passed through the hall and opened the library door.