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Under Western Eyes
Under Western Eyes

Chapter XXXIX

Cover illustration for Under Western Eyes
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.
And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.
He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.
They were, of course, very much startled.
A flash of lightning enabled them to observe him walking away quickly.
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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.

Under Western Eyes

Chapter XXXIX

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.
Line 2
And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.
Line 3
He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.
Line 4
They were, of course, very much startled.
Line 5
A flash of lightning enabled them to observe him walking away quickly.

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 “He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They were, of course, very much startled.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.”

All words in this reading · 77

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 And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

absolute

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

away

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

From this reading A flash of lightning enabled them to observe him walking away quickly.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

bottom

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

coming

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

confident

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They were, of course, very much startled.

destiny

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

door

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

downstairs

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

enabled

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

From this reading A flash of lightning enabled them to observe him walking away quickly.

errand

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

fact

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

fitful

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

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

flash

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

From this reading A flash of lightning enabled them to observe him walking away quickly.

fly

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

got

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

gust

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

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

home

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

house

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

jumped

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

just

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

late

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

lightning

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

From this reading A flash of lightning enabled them to observe him walking away quickly.

matter

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

men

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

midnight

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

much

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

From this reading They were, of course, very much startled.

necessity

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

observe

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

From this reading A flash of lightning enabled them to observe him walking away quickly.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

opened

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

out

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

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

past

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

people

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

power

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

puppet

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

quickly

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

From this reading A flash of lightning enabled them to observe him walking away quickly.

ran

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

slipped

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

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

some

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

stairs

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

startled

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

From this reading They were, of course, very much startled.

street

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

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

stroke

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

swept

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

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

swiftly

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

then

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

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were, of course, very much startled.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

two

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

up

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

very

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

walking

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

From this reading A flash of lightning enabled them to observe him walking away quickly.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were, of course, very much startled.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He slipped out through them into the street, swept then by a fitful gust of wind.

woman

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

From this reading And as a matter of fact, just as he got to the bottom of the stairs, it was opened for him by some people of the house coming home late--two men and a woman.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading He was the puppet of his past, because at the very stroke of midnight he jumped up and ran swiftly downstairs as if confident that, by the power of destiny, the house door would fly open before the absolute necessity of his errand.