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The Golden Slipper, and Other Problems for Violet Strange
The Golden Slipper, and Other Problems for Violet Strange

Chapter XXVI

Cover illustration for The Golden Slipper, and Other Problems for Violet Strange
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.
It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.
But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.
“An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.
Then the sound of a clash.
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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 Golden Slipper, and Other Problems for Violet Strange

Chapter XXVI

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

Line 1
“She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.
Line 2
It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.
Line 3
But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.
Line 4
“An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.
Line 5
Then the sound of a clash.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.”

Clash noun US /klæʃ/

A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.

From this reading “Then the sound of a clash.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading ““An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.”

Glare noun US /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.”

Reassured verb US /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/

made less worried or afraid

From this reading “It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

also

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

away

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

buttons

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

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

clashnounUS /klæʃ/

A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.

From this reading Then the sound of a clash.

corner

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

dashed

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

exclamation

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

exercise

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

fantastic

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

felt

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

foils

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

followed

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

garret

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

glarenounUS /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

growl

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

keen

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

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

light

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

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

lit

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

moment

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

movements

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

practising

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

quiet

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

rage

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

reassuredverbUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊrd/

made less worried or afraid

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

room

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

said

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

saw

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

scarcely

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

seen

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

sharp

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

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

shone

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

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

showed

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

slid

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

sound

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

From this reading Then the sound of a clash.

swords

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

terrifying

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

Then

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

From this reading Then the sound of a clash.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

tips

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

From this reading But the swords had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the keen light.

up

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

very

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

From this reading “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very quiet.

weapons

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It also showed the weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret.