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Tom Ossington's Ghost
Tom Ossington's Ghost

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for Tom Ossington's Ghost
Context Illustration Reading 1/28 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.
Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.
She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.
"I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.
I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.
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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.

Tom Ossington's Ghost

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/28 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.
Line 2
Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.
Line 3
She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.
Line 4
"I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.
Line 5
I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.

Learner Dictionary

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

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.”

Continued noun US /ˈcontinued/

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

From this reading “She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.”

Grasp noun US /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading “THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “"I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.”

Stand noun US /stand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.”

Support verb US /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading “THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.”

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 THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

aid

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

all

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

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

backwards

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.

continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/

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

From this reading She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.

deprecating

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

From this reading She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.

don't

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

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

door

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

exercised

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

glad

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

glance

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

graspnounUS /ɡræsp/

a firm hold in a specific situation in this story

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

handle

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

hurry

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

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

I'm

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

From this reading I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

KEY

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

moment

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

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

only

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

From this reading I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

other's

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

From this reading She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

pleading

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

PUZZLE

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

quick

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

room

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

second

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

slow

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

From this reading I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

speaking

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

From this reading She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.

spell

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

stand

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

strange

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

supportverbUS /səˈpɔːrt/

to provide what someone needs in order to live

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

Then

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

tired

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

From this reading I'm only slow because--I'm a little tired.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

tottered

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

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Then, with a quick glance backwards, as of pleading to the one who exercised over her so strange a spell, she tottered from the room.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE KEY TO THE PUZZLE She stood, for a second, with the handle of the open door in her grasp--as if she was glad of its support to aid her stand.

wrath

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

From this reading She continued speaking as she went, as if deprecating the other's wrath.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I shall be all right--in a moment--if you don't--hurry me at first.