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A Dead Reckoning
A Dead Reckoning

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for A Dead Reckoning
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
We are back once more at Linden Villa.
It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.
George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.
He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.
Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Dead Reckoning

Chapter XII

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
We are back once more at Linden Villa.
Line 2
It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.
Line 3
George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.
Line 4
He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.
Line 5
Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

Learner Dictionary

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

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.”

Glowing noun US /ˈglowing/

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

From this reading “George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We are back once more at Linden Villa.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.”

Pleasant noun US /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.”

Seeing noun US /seeing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading “George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.”

All words in this reading · 78

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

air

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading We are back once more at Linden Villa.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading We are back once more at Linden Villa.

back

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

From this reading We are back once more at Linden Villa.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

careworn

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

cigar

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

clock

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

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

Crofton

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

Dissipation

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

downhill

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

embers

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

evening

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

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

expression

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

face

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

fastidious

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

fire

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

fixedly

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

gazing

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

George

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

glowingnounUS /ˈglowing/

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

going

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

haggard

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

judge

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

just

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

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

Linden

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

From this reading We are back once more at Linden Villa.

longer

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

looks

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

lowering

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

man

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

March

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

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

more

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

From this reading We are back once more at Linden Villa.

nine

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

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

once

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

From this reading We are back once more at Linden Villa.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

ones

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

personal

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

pictures

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

regard

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

seal

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

seeing

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

set

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

slowly

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

surely

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It is a March evening, and the clock has just struck nine.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

unmistakable

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

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

used

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

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.

Villa

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

From this reading We are back once more at Linden Villa.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We are back once more at Linden Villa.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading George Crofton is smoking a cigar, and gazing fixedly into the fire, seeing pictures in the glowing embers which are anything but pleasant ones, if one may judge by the lowering expression of his face.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Dissipation has set its unmistakable seal upon him; he has the air of a man who is going slowly but surely downhill.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He looks haggard and careworn, and is no longer so fastidious with regard to his personal appearance as he used to be.