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The Seventh Man
The Seventh Man

Chapter VIII · Discipline

Cover illustration for The Seventh Man
Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
“Hello, partner,” called Vic.
“I got company, you see.
The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”
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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 Seventh Man

Chapter VIII · Discipline

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

Line 1
A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.
Line 2
First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.
Line 3
“Hello, partner,” called Vic.
Line 4
“I got company, you see.
Line 5
The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”

Learner Dictionary

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

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.””

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.””

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.””

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.”

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”

blew

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

From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

called

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

From this reading “Hello, partner,” called Vic.

cat

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

closed

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

company

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

From this reading “I got company, you see.

convulsively

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

crossed

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

door

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

ears

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

effect

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

entrance

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

fall

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

feet

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

FirstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

fist

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

floor

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

girl

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

From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”

got

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

From this reading “I got company, you see.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

heel

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

Hello

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

From this reading “Hello, partner,” called Vic.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I got company, you see.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

light

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

lightness

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”

outer

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

padded

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

partner

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

From this reading “Hello, partner,” called Vic.

peculiar

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

pricked

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

pudgy

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

rescuer

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

room

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

see

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

From this reading “I got company, you see.

sense

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

softness

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

some

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

then

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

there

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

thumb

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

touching

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

turned

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

Vic

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

From this reading “Hello, partner,” called Vic.

Vic's

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

weight

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A light step crossed the outer room, with something peculiar in its lightness, as if the heel were not touching the floor, with the effect of the padded fall of the feet of some great cat; there was both softness and the sense of weight.

wolf-dog

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

From this reading First the wolf-dog pricked his ears and turned towards the door, the pudgy fist closed convulsively over Vic's thumb, and then his rescuer stood in the entrance.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “I got company, you see.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading The door blew open and I asked your little girl in.”