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A moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)
A moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for A moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)
Context Illustration Reading 1/93 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
‘I do, indeed, Mrs Bizzey.
I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’
‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.
I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’
‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’
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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 moment of madness, and other stories (vol. 3 of 3)

Chapter IV

Reading 1/93 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
‘I do, indeed, Mrs Bizzey.
Line 2
I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’
Line 3
‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.
Line 4
I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’
Line 5
‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Believe noun US /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading “I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Stopped noun US /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Suddenly noun US /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading “‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.”

Suppose noun US /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading “I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’”

Turkey-cock noun US /ˈtɜːrki kɑːk/

an adult male turkey

From this reading “‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.”

All words in this reading · 130

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 ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

all

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

always

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

From this reading I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

apparition

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

apparitions

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

From this reading I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

believenounUS /ˈbelieve/

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

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

believed

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

From this reading I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’

Bizzey

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

From this reading ‘I do, indeed, Mrs Bizzey.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

call

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

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

careful

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

chimed

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

clock

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

cottage

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

death

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

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

died

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading ‘I do, indeed, Mrs Bizzey.

dying

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

em

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

enough

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

fluttered

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

ghost

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

ghosts

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

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

give

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

go

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

gone

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

house

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

husband

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading ‘I do, indeed, Mrs Bizzey.

I'd

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

I've

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

From this reading I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’

indeed

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

From this reading ‘I do, indeed, Mrs Bizzey.

interposed

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

Jane

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

just

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

lay

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

like

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

lot

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

makes

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

mantel-shelf

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

Mark

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

married

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

miles

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

mother

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

moved

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

moving

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

Mrs

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

From this reading ‘I do, indeed, Mrs Bizzey.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

night

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

nurse

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

off

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

Oh

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

opposite

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

palings

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

rather

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

re-appear

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

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

real

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

regular

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

round

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

said

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

sat

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

screech

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

sick

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

side

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’

sir

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

sister

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

spirits

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

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

stoppednounUS /stopped/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/

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

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

that's

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’

then

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

From this reading I’ve always believed in apparitions since then.’

there

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

things

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

three

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

touch

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

turkey

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

turkey-cocknounUS /ˈtɜːrki kɑːk/

an adult male turkey

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

turned

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

up

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

warning

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

words

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

world

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

wound

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

From this reading ‘And when my sister Jane lay in of her last,’ chimed in Mrs Bizzey, ‘there was a little clock stood on the mantel-shelf that had always been wound up regular and gone regular ever since she was married; and we was moving a lot of things to one side, and we moved that clock and found it had stopped; and the nurse, she said to me, “Mark my words if that’s not a warning of death;” and, sure enough, Jane died before the morning, which makes me so careful of moving a clock since then that I’d rather go three miles round than touch one if a body lay sick in the house.’

yes

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

From this reading ‘Oh, yes,’ interposed the husband; ‘for I mind the night that my poor mother lay dying, there was an apparition of a turkey-cock that sat upon the palings opposite our cottage, and when it fluttered off ’em with a screech, just for all the world like a real turkey, you know, sir, she turned on her side suddenly, and give up the ghost.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading I suppose you believe that spirits (or ghosts, as you call them) may re-appear after death?’