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.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter II
Take heed!" It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm. "Rise! and walk with me!" It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Reading 15/81 · 5 reading units · Lines 71–75
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Take heed!"”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Take heed!"
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading and walk with me!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Rise!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Take heed!"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It put out its strong hand as it spoke, and clasped him gently by the arm.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and walk with me!"
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading and walk with me!"
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would have been in vain for Scrooge to plead that the weather and the hour were not adapted to pedestrian purposes; that bed was warm, and the thermometer a long way below freezing; that he was clad but lightly in his slippers, dressing-gown, and nightcap; and that he had a cold upon him at that time.
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?
