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Chapter II

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Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.
Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.
He had, in fact, a new mania every year.
This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.
The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.
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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.

Wonderful Escapes

Chapter II

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.
Line 2
Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.
Line 3
He had, in fact, a new mania every year.
Line 4
This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.
Line 5
The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Oil noun US /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Pitcher noun US /ˈpɪtʃər/

a container with a handle and a lip, used for holding and pouring liquids

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.”

Senses plural noun US /ˈsɛnsɪz/

powers of perception and awareness

From this reading ““The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.”

Sometimes noun US /sometimes/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading “The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.”

All words in this reading · 114

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 constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

all

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

amusements

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

annually

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

apartments

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

bat

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

bats

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

believed

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

burying

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

came

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

castle

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

certain

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

chat

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

constable

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

conversation

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

deprived

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

disorder

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

excess

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

fact

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

From this reading He had, in fact, a new mania every year.

fancied

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

fetched

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

fit

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

fly

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

four

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

frog

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

gestures

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

going

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

hours

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

humour

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

imagined

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He had, in fact, a new mania every year.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

just

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

knew

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

leap

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

like

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

made

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

making

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

man

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

mania

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

From this reading He had, in fact, a new mania every year.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

metamorphosed

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

necessary

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

new

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

From this reading He had, in fact, a new mania every year.

noise

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

often

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

oilnounUS /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

old

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

physicians

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

pitchernounUS /ˈpɪtʃər/

a container with a handle and a lip, used for holding and pouring liquids

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

pleasure

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

procured

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

sensesplural nounUS /ˈsɛnsɪz/

powers of perception and awareness

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

servants

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

show

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

some

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

sometimes

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

talkative

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

three

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

totally

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

very

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

walk

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading “The constable of the castle had annually a certain disorder which totally deprived him of his senses, and when the fit came on him he was talkative to excess.

whim

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading This year he fancied himself a bat, and when he went to take a walk he sometimes made just such a noise as bats do, and made gestures with his hands and body as if he were going to fly.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading The physicians, who knew his disorder, and his old servants procured him all the amusements they could think of, and as they found he took very great pleasure in my conversation, they often fetched me to his apartments, where the poor man would chat with me for three or four hours at a time.

year

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

From this reading Every year he had some different whim: at one time he thought himself metamorphosed into a pitcher of oil; at another he believed himself a frog, and began to leap around like one; and again he imagined he was dead, and it was found necessary to humour him by making a show of burying him.