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The Furnished Room
The Furnished Room

Chapter II · Part 2: The Furnished Room

And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

A sudden living fragrance of mignonette convinces the young man Eloise was there; he desperately searches hairpins, drawers, a handkerchief, buttons, and a black satin bow.
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.
Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.
It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.
And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.
The rich odour clung to him and wrapped him around.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Furnished Room

Chapter II · Part 2: The Furnished Room

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.
Line 2
Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.
Line 3
It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.
Line 4
And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.
Line 5
The rich odour clung to him and wrapped him around.

Learner Dictionary

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

dank adjective US /dæŋk/

unpleasantly cold and slightly wet

From this reading “And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.”

effluvium noun US /ɪˈfluːviəm/

an unpleasant smell or invisible vapor

From this reading “And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.”

mignonette noun US /ˌmɪnjəˈnet/

a small plant with sweet-smelling flowers

From this reading “Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.”

All words in this reading · 73

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

almost

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

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

aloud

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

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The rich odour clung to him and wrapped him around.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

breath

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

breathed

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

buffet

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

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

called

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

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

came

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

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

clungnounUS /clung/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The rich odour clung to him and wrapped him around.

cold

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

dankadjectiveUS /dæŋk/

unpleasantly cold and slightly wet

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

dear

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

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

effluviumnounUS /ɪˈfluːviəm/

an unpleasant smell or invisible vapor

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

emphasis

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

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

exhalations

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

faced

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

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

filled

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

fragrance

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

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading The rich odour clung to him and wrapped him around.

house

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

linoleum

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

living

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

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

man

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

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

mignonettenounUS /ˌmɪnjəˈnet/

a small plant with sweet-smelling flowers

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

mildewed

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

mingled

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

musty

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

odour

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

rather

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

reeking

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

rested

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

rich

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

From this reading The rich odour clung to him and wrapped him around.

room

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

rotten

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

savour

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

single

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

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

smell

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

sprang

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

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

strong

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

suddenlynounUS /ˈsuddenly/

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

sureness

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

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

sweet

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

Then

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

there

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The rich odour clung to him and wrapped him around.

underground

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

up

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

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

vaults

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

visitant

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

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Then, suddenly, as he rested there, the room was filled with the strong, sweet odour of mignonette.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And the man cried aloud: “What, dear?” as if he had been called, and sprang up and faced about.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It came as upon a single buffet of wind with such sureness and fragrance and emphasis that it almost seemed a living visitant.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

woodwork

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

From this reading And he breathed the breath of the house—a dank savour rather than a smell—a cold, musty effluvium as from underground vaults mingled with the reeking exhalations of linoleum and mildewed and rotten woodwork.

wrapped

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

From this reading The rich odour clung to him and wrapped him around.

Chapter Quiz

What is the central philosophical inquiry and narrative progression in 'Act 02: The Wisdom of The Furnished Room — The Resolution & The Eternal Truth'?

How does the prose style reflect classical academic excellence?

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