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John Inglefield's Thanksgiving
John Inglefield's Thanksgiving

Chapter I

Cover illustration for John Inglefield's Thanksgiving
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.
Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.
At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.
The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.
One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

John Inglefield's Thanksgiving

Chapter I

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.
Line 2
Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.
Line 3
At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.
Line 4
The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.
Line 5
One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

Learner Dictionary

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

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.”

Right noun US /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.”

All words in this reading · 94

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 The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

aglow

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

all

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

Andover

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

From this reading One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

anvil

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

blacksmith

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

board

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

bred

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

From this reading One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

central

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

chair

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

From this reading At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.

circle

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

college

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

From this reading One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

danced

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

day

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

domestic

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

elbow-chair

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

empty

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

From this reading At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.

evening

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

family

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

fantastic

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

fashioned

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

features

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

festival

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

figure

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

filled

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

fire

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

forge

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

frame

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

group

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

From this reading One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

hand

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

From this reading At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.

head

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

hearth

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

Inglefield

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

Inglefield's

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

From this reading At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.

iron

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

John

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

keeping

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

light

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

like

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

massive

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

members

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

merriment

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

now

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

From this reading One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

other

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

own

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

places

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

quietly

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

reddening

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.

rough

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

round

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

rudely

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

sat

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

semblance

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

shadows

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

son

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

From this reading One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

statue

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

strongest

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

student

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

From this reading One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

sturdy

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

Thanksgiving

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

then

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

theology

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

From this reading One of the group was John Inglefield’s son, who had been bred at college, and was now a student of theology at Andover.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

threw

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

visage

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

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.

wall

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading At John Inglefield’s right hand was an empty chair.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The other places round the hearth were filled by the members of the family, who all sat quietly, while, with a semblance of fantastic merriment, their shadows danced on the wall behind then.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading On the evening of Thanksgiving day, John Inglefield, the blacksmith, sat in his elbow-chair, among those who had been keeping festival at his board.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Being the central figure of the domestic circle, the fire threw its strongest light on his massive and sturdy frame, reddening his rough visage, so that it looked like the head of an iron statue, all aglow, from his own forge, and with its features rudely fashioned on his own anvil.