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The World for Sale, Volume 3.
The World for Sale, Volume 3.

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The World for Sale, Volume 3.
Context Illustration Reading 1/21 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.
One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.
It was a picture of profound repose, but it was the repose of death.
It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.
As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.
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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 World for Sale, Volume 3.

Chapter VII

Reading 1/21 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.
Line 2
One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.
Line 3
It was a picture of profound repose, but it was the repose of death.
Line 4
It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.
Line 5
As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

Learner Dictionary

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

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.”

Weakness noun US /ˈwiːknəs/

a lack of physical strength

From this reading “It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.”

All words in this reading · 64

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It was a picture of profound repose, but it was the repose of death.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

armchair

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

beam

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

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

breast

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

broad-brimmed

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

chair

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

chair-arm

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

clasped

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

death

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

From this reading It was a picture of profound repose, but it was the repose of death.

evident

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

fallen

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

felt

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

fingers

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

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

front

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

gently

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

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

hand

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

hat

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

head

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

held

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

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

house

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

huge

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

knee

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

leave

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

light

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

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

normal

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

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

other

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

picture

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

From this reading It was a picture of profound repose, but it was the repose of death.

prepared

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

profound

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

From this reading It was a picture of profound repose, but it was the repose of death.

put

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

recover

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

repose

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

From this reading It was a picture of profound repose, but it was the repose of death.

rested

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

Ry

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

Rys

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

sat

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

SLEEPER

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

taken

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE SLEEPER The Ry of Rys sat in his huge armchair, his broad-brimmed hat on his knee in front of him.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.

way

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

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

weaknessnounUS /ˈwiːknəs/

a lack of physical strength

From this reading It was evident that the Ry had prepared to leave the house, had felt a sudden weakness, and had taken to his chair to recover himself.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading As was evident from the normal way in which his fingers held his hat, and his hand rested on the chair-arm, death had come as gently as a beam of light.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading One hand rested on the chair-arm, the other clasped the hat as though he would put it on, but his head was fallen forward on his breast.