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The Unseen Bridegroom
The Unseen Bridegroom

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for The Unseen Bridegroom
Context Illustration Reading 1/43 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MOLLIE'S DESPAIR.
Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.
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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 Unseen Bridegroom

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/43 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MOLLIE'S DESPAIR.
Line 2
Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.
Line 3
Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.
Line 4
In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.
Line 5
Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.”

Descended noun US /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading “Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.”

Herself pronoun US /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading “Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.”

Rest noun US /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

all

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

arm-chair

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

big

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

black

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

bleak

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

bustling

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

cut

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

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

descendednounUS /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

DESPAIR

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

From this reading MOLLIE'S DESPAIR.

Dr

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

draughty

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

entered

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

entrance

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

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

eyes

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

fire

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

getting

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

hall

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

hooked

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

incipient

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

kitchen

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

lighted

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

like

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

lower

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

master

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

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

MOLLIE'S

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

From this reading MOLLIE'S DESPAIR.

mustache

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

narrating

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

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

nose

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

old

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

Oleander

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

peeling

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

Peter

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

place

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

potatoes

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

pots

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

restnounUS /rest/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

rickety

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

roaring

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

room

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

Sally

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

sat

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

snaky-black

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

square

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

stairs

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

stew-pans

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

supper

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

table

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Dr. Oleander descended the stairs, passed through the lower hall, and entered the kitchen--a big, square room, bleak and draughty, like all the rest of the old, rickety place, but lighted by a roaring fire.

transpired

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

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

upstairs

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

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

volubly

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

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Old Sally was bustling about over pots and stew-pans, getting supper; old Peter stood at the table peeling potatoes.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Old Sally was volubly narrating what had transpired upstairs, and cut herself short upon the entrance of her master.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.

woman

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

From this reading In an arm-chair before the fire sat another old woman with snaky-black eyes, hooked nose, and incipient black mustache.