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A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol

Chapter II · Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits

STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS WHEN Scrooge awoke, it was so dark, that looking out of bed, he could scarcely distinguish the transparent window from the opaque walls of his chamber.

Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits, section 10: But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion
Context Illustration Reading 10/81 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.
Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.
For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.
And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.
"Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"
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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 Christmas Carol

Chapter II · Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits

Reading 10/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 46–50

Line 1
But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.
Line 2
Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.
Line 3
For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.
Line 4
And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.
Line 5
"Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

Learner Dictionary

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

strangest adjective US /ˈstreɪndʒɪst/

superlative of “strange” — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading “But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.”

Collocations
But theA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
the strangestA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 100

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 But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.

all

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

arm

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

away

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

belt

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

bright

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

cap

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

clear

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

coming

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

From this reading "Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

crown

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

dark

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

dense

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

dissolving

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

distinct

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

From this reading And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.

distinctness

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

doubtless

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

duller

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

EvennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.

extinguisher

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

figure

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

fluctuated

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

foretold

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

From this reading "Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

glittered

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

gloom

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

head

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

held

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

increasing

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

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

instant

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

jet

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

leg

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

legs

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

light

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

melted

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

moments

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

now

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

occasion

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

outline

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

pair

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

parts

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

quality

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

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

Scrooge

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

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

sir

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

From this reading "Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

sparkled

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

Spirit

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

From this reading "Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

sprung

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

steadiness

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

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

strangestadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪndʒɪst/

superlative of “strange” — being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

there

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

twenty

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

using

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

very

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

From this reading And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.

visible

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

wherein

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading But the strangest thing about it was, that from the crown of its head there sprung a bright clear jet of light, by which all this was visible; and which was doubtless the occasion of its using, in its duller moments, a great extinguisher for a cap, which it now held under its arm.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading "Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Even this, though, when Scrooge looked at it with increasing steadiness, was not its strangest quality.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

wonder

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

From this reading And in the very wonder of this, it would be itself again; distinct and clear as ever.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading For as its belt sparkled and glittered now in one part and now in another, and what was light one instant, at another time was dark, so the figure itself fluctuated in its distinctness: being now a thing with one arm, now with one leg, now with twenty legs, now a pair of legs without a head, now a head without a body: of which dissolving parts, no outline would be visible in the dense gloom wherein they melted away.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Are you the Spirit, sir, whose coming was foretold to me?"

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Stave II: The First of the Three Spirits?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS...", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: STAVE II: THE FIRST OF THE THREE SPIRITS
Narrator: "Was I apprenticed here!"