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Chapter I

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Context Illustration Reading 1/67 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.
Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.
And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!
The wandering Dong through the forest goes!
The Dong! the Dong!
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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.

Laughable Lyrics

Chapter I

Reading 1/67 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.
Line 2
Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.
Line 3
And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!
Line 4
The wandering Dong through the forest goes!
Line 5
The Dong! the Dong!

Learner Dictionary

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

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.”

Fourth noun US /fourth/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.”

Hither adverb US /ˈhɪðər/

an old word meaning “to this place”

From this reading “A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.”

Nights noun US /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading “A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.”

Thither adverb US /ˈðɪθɜːr/

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading “A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

angry

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Anon

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

From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

Author

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

awful

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

beat

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Bong-tree

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

From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

Book

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Bore

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Botany

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

breakers

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

bright

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

brood

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Chankly

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

coal-black

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

creeps

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

From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

Cry

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

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

dark

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

darkness

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Dong

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

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

etc

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

fiery

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

flashes

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

From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

forest

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

From this reading The wandering Dong through the forest goes!

FourthnounUS /fourth/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

gleaming

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

From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

gloomy

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

goes

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

From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Gromboolian

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Hall

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

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

heights

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Hills

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

HitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/

an old word meaning “to this place”

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

hour

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From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

leaps

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From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

light

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

lofty

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From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

lonely

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

lurid

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Meteor

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

midnight

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From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

More

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

moves

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Music

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

night

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

nightsnounUS /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Nonsense

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

onward

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From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

passes

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From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

pauses

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From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

Piercing

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

plain

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Poems

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

rays

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

reign

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

roar

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

rocky

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

seems

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

shore

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

silvery

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

single

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Slowly

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From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

Songs

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

spark

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

sparkles

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From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

stems

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From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

Stories

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Storm-clouds

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

strange

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

strays

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Terrace

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From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

Then

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

There

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

ThroughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

throws

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From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

Tower

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From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

towering

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

vast

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

vision

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From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

wandering

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From this reading The wandering Dong through the forest goes!

wanders

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From this reading Slowly it wanders, pauses, creeps,-- Anon it sparkles, flashes, and leaps; And ever as onward it gleaming goes A light on the Bong-tree stems it throws.

watch

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From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

wild

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

From this reading And those who watch at that midnight hour From Hall or Terrace or lofty Tower, Cry, as the wild light passes along,-- "The Dong! the Dong!

wintry

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

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A Fourth Book of Nonsense Poems, Songs, Botany, Music, etc. Author of the _Book of Nonsense_, _More Nonsense_, _Nonsense Songs, Stories_, etc., etc. When awful darkness and silence reign Over the great Gromboolian plain, Through the long, long wintry nights; When the angry breakers roar As they beat on the rocky shore; When Storm-clouds brood on the towering heights Of the Hills of the Chankly Bore,-- Then, through the vast and gloomy dark There moves what seems a fiery spark,-- A lonely spark with silvery rays Piercing the coal-black night,-- A Meteor strange and bright: Hither and thither the vision strays, A single lurid light.