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A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities

Book III · Chapter VII · A Knock at the Door

“I have saved him.”

A Knock at the Door, reading 1: It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“I have saved him.”
It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.
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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 Tale of Two Cities

Book III · Chapter VII · A Knock at the Door

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“I have saved him.”
/aɪ hæv saved hɪm/
Line 2
It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.
Line 3
And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.
Line 4
All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.
Line 5
The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

Learner Dictionary

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

constantly adverb US /ˈkɑːnstəntli/

continuously or very frequently over a period of time

From this reading “All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.”

Collocations
I haveA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
have savedA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
impossible adjective US /ɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/

not able to happen, exist, or be done

From this reading “All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.”

lightened verb, past participle US /ˈlaɪtənd/

made less heavy, serious, or difficult to bear

From this reading “All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.”

All words in this reading · 89

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 And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

air

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

All

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

back

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

black

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

blameless

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

carts

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

clutched

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

constantlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnstəntli/

continuously or very frequently over a period of time

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

dark

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

day

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

dear

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

death

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/

extremely frightening or unpleasant

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

dreams

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

fall

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

fate

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

fear

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

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

felt

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

fitful

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

forget

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I have saved him.”

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

heart

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

heavy

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

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading “I have saved him.”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

husband

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “I have saved him.”

impossibleadjectiveUS /ɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/

not able to happen, exist, or be done

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

innocent

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

lightenedverb, past participleUS /ˈlaɪtənd/

made less heavy, serious, or difficult to bear

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

load

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

malice

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

many

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

now

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

often

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

others

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

passionately

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

people

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

put

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

really

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

revengeful

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

rolling

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

round

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

savednounUS /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I have saved him.”

shadows

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

shared

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

streets

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

suspicion

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

thick

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

trembled

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

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

vague

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

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading All the air round was so thick and dark, the people were so passionately revengeful and fitful, the innocent were so constantly put to death on vague suspicion and black malice, it was so impossible to forget that many as blameless as her husband and as dear to others as he was to her, every day shared the fate from which he had been clutched, that her heart could not be as lightened of its load as she felt it ought to be.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading It was not another of the dreams in which he had often come back; he was really here.

wife

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

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.

wintry

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

From this reading The shadows of the wintry afternoon were beginning to fall, and even now the dreadful carts were rolling through the streets.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading And yet his wife trembled, and a vague but heavy fear was upon her.