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The Threatening Eye
The Threatening Eye

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The Threatening Eye
Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.
Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.
The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."
It was indeed nearly nine o'clock when Mary woke.
She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.
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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 Threatening Eye

Chapter VI

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.
Line 2
Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.
Line 3
The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."
Line 4
It was indeed nearly nine o'clock when Mary woke.
Line 5
She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.”

Bustle noun US /ˈbʌsəl/

busy and excited activity

From this reading “The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.”

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 She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

adventure

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

all

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

business

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/

busy and excited activity

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

chambers

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

CHARYBDIS

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

From this reading FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.

commencing

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

day

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

desultory

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

dust

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

dusty

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

duties

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

fountain

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.

gradually

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

heard

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

high

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

indeed

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

From this reading It was indeed nearly nine o'clock when Mary woke.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was indeed nearly nine o'clock when Mary woke.

laundresses

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

law

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

Mary

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

master's

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

nearly

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

From this reading It was indeed nearly nine o'clock when Mary woke.

nine

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

From this reading It was indeed nearly nine o'clock when Mary woke.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

o'clock

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

From this reading It was indeed nearly nine o'clock when Mary woke.

occurred

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

performing

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

plashing

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

poured

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

pretending

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

previous

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

prior

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

purlieus

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

recalled

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

room

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

saw

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

SCYLLA

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

From this reading FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

slept

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

strange

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

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

sun

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

Temple

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She heard the plashing of the fountain outside, saw she was in a strange room, and gradually recalled all that had occurred on the previous day.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading FROM SCYLLA TO CHARYBDIS.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

wake

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

well

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

From this reading Mary slept well after her long day of adventure and did not wake until the sun was high.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The laundresses had poured into the Temple, and were pretending to dust their master's chambers and performing the rest of their desultory duties, prior to the bustle of business commencing in those "dusty purlieus of the law."

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It was indeed nearly nine o'clock when Mary woke.

woke

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

From this reading It was indeed nearly nine o'clock when Mary woke.