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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
burned
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he saw these things with his eyes without seeing them with his mind.
cajoled
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From this reading Of Flavia, who had deceived him, duped him, cajoled him.
came
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From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
candles
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
chair
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
chairs
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From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
character
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From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
circles
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From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
Colonel
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
coloursnounUS /ˈcolours/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
contracted
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From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
created
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From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
death-cold
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From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
deceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of Flavia, who had deceived him, duped him, cajoled him.
duped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of Flavia, who had deceived him, duped him, cajoled him.
DURE
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
earthen
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From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
effects
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From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
ET
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
fifteen
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
fixed
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
flamenounUS /fleɪm/
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
flames
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
Flavia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
floor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
FORTE
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
gaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
halo-like
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From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
John
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
many
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But he saw these things with his eyes without seeing them with his mind.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
motionless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
oasis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
PEINE
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
perhaps
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
roof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he saw these things with his eyes without seeing them with his mind.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he saw these things with his eyes without seeing them with his mind.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
steadily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
strange
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
sunk
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But he saw these things with his eyes without seeing them with his mind.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But he saw these things with his eyes without seeing them with his mind.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he saw these things with his eyes without seeing them with his mind.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
tonguenounUS /tongue/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
twenty
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
unwinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
upwards
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From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
vapour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
vaulted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading PEINE FORTE ET DURE For many minutes, fifteen, twenty perhaps, Colonel John sat motionless in the chair into which he had sunk, his eyes fixed on the flames of the candles that, so still was the night, burned steadily upwards.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Of Flavia, who had deceived him, duped him, cajoled him.
widened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His unwinking gaze created about each tongue of flame strange effects of vapour, halo-like circles that widened and again contracted, colours that came and went.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But he saw these things with his eyes without seeing them with his mind.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It was not of them, it was not of the death-cold room about him, in which the table and chairs formed a lighted oasis out of character with the earthen floor, the rough walls, and the vaulted roof--it was not of anything within sight he was thinking; but of Flavia!
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But he saw these things with his eyes without seeing them with his mind.
