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With Links of Steel
With Links of Steel

Chapter XIV

Cover illustration for With Links of Steel
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IN A WARM CORNER.
The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.
The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.
Nick immediately guessed the truth.
The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.
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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.

With Links of Steel

Chapter XIV

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IN A WARM CORNER.
Line 2
The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.
Line 3
The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.
Line 4
Nick immediately guessed the truth.
Line 5
The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.”

Descended noun US /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading “The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.”

Second noun US /second/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.”

All words in this reading · 83

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 IN A WARM CORNER.

abruptly

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

adjusted

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

air

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

all

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

bare

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

became

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

career

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

Carter

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

cleverly

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

closet

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

compressed

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

CORNER

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

From this reading IN A WARM CORNER.

crash

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

crevices

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

decreased

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

depicted

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

descendednounUS /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

detective's

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

downward

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

ears

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

elevator

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

emergency

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

ended

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

escaping

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

evidently

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

expected

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

fallen

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

falling

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

fell

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

floor

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

fraction

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

gradual

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

guessed

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

From this reading Nick immediately guessed the truth.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

immediately

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

From this reading Nick immediately guessed the truth.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading IN A WARM CORNER.

just

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

longer

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

more

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

narrow

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

Nick

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

prostrate

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

rapidly

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

rushing

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

second

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

slides

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

sound

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

speed

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

terrific

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

then

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading The terrific downward speed suddenly decreased, then became more gradual, all in the bare fraction of a second; and then the rushing sound of compressed air escaping through narrow crevices fell upon the detective's ears.

truth

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

From this reading Nick immediately guessed the truth.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

use

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

vaguely

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

WARM

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

From this reading IN A WARM CORNER.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

well

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The crash with which Nick Carter vaguely expected his career might be abruptly ended, as the floor upon which he had fallen prostrate rapidly descended, did not come.

worked

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

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading The falling closet floor was that of an elevator, no longer in use as such, yet which still worked on the slides of the elevator well, and evidently had been cleverly adjusted for just such an emergency as that depicted.