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A Master Hand
A Master Hand

Chapter II

Cover illustration for A Master Hand
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.
It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.
As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.
As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.
He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.
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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.

A Master Hand

Chapter II

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.
Line 2
It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.
Line 3
As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.
Line 4
As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.
Line 5
He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.”

Beneath preposition US /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading “As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.”

Sixth noun US /sixth/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

approached

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

Avenues

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

block

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

blocks

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

CARDS

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

cheerful

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

cigar

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

club

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

coffee

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

connected

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

From this reading He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

consisted

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

From this reading He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

destination

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

dining

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

down

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

entire

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

From this reading He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

few

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

Fifth

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

finished

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

floor

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

front

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

GAME

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

gone

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

ground

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

held

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

house

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

hurried

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

library

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

light

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

midway

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

New

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

night

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

Nineteenth

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

north

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

o'clock

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

often

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

out

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

passageway

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

From this reading He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

promise

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

provides

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

rainy

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

rooms

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

said

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

saw

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

separated

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

shade

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

shining

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

side

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

SixthnounUS /sixth/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

sloppy

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

started

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

Street

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

ten

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

two

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

From this reading He had the entire first floor, which consisted of two rooms connected by a short passageway.

warmth

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading As I have said, White's rooms were on Nineteenth Street; they were on the ground floor of a house about midway of the block between Fifth and Sixth Avenues and on the north side of the street.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

White's

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

From this reading A GAME OF CARDS It was ten o'clock when I had finished my cigar and coffee in the library--where I had gone after dining--and I left the club and started for White's.

window

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

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

winter

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading As I approached the house, I saw the light shining beneath the shade--which was not quite down--at the front window, and it held out promise of cheerful warmth within.

York

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

From this reading It was a rainy, sloppy night, such as New York often provides in winter, and I hurried over the few blocks that separated me from my destination.