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The Monkey's Paw
The Monkey's Paw

Chapter I · Act 01: The Discourse of The Monkey's Paw — The Origin & The Dilemma

Act 01: The Discourse of The Monkey's Paw — The Origin & The Dilemma, section 1: Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly. Father and son were at chess, the former, who po
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.
Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.
“Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.
“I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.
“Check.”
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Monkey's Paw

Chapter I · Act 01: The Discourse of The Monkey's Paw — The Origin & The Dilemma

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.
Line 2
Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.
Line 3
“Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.
Line 4
“I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.
Line 5
“Check.”

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading ““Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.”

Desirous adjective US /dɪˈzaɪərəs/

having a strong wish to do or obtain something

From this reading ““Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.”

Having auxiliary verb US /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading ““Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.”

Seeing noun US /seeing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

amiably

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

blinds

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

board

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

brightly

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

burned

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

changes

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

Check

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

From this reading “Check.”

chess

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

cold

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

comment

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

desirousadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪərəs/

having a strong wish to do or obtain something

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

drawn

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

fatal

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

Father

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

fire

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

former

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

game

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

grimly

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

hand

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

Hark

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

I'm

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

ideas

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

involving

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

king

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

knitting

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

Laburnam

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

lady

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

late

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

latter

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

listening

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

mistake

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

Mr

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

night

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

old

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

out

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

parlour

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

perils

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

placidly

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

possessed

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

preventing

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

provoked

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

putting

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

radical

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

said

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

seeing

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

seen

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

sharp

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

small

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

son

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

stretched

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

surveying

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

From this reading “I’m listening,” said the latter, grimly surveying the board as he stretched out his hand.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

too

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

unnecessary

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

Villa

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

wet

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

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

White

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

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

white-haired

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

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hark at the wind,” said Mr. White, who, having seen a fatal mistake after it was too late, was amiably desirous of preventing his son from seeing it.

WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central philosophical inquiry and narrative progression in 'Act 01: The Discourse of The Monkey's Paw — The Origin & The Dilemma'?

How does the prose style reflect classical academic excellence?

What primary language acquisition value does this text offer advanced English scholars?