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William Wilson
William Wilson

Chapter IX

Chapter 9, section 1: At that instant some person tried the latch of the door. I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist. But what human language can adequ
Context Illustration Reading 1/86 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.
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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.

William Wilson

Chapter IX

Reading 1/86 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.
Line 2
I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.
Line 3
But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?
Line 4
The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.
Line 5
A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.”

Blood noun US /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.”

Mine pronoun US /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.”

None pronoun US /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading “A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.”

Returned noun US /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading “I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.”

All words in this reading · 89

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

adequately

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

advanced

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

all

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

antagonist

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

apparently

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

arrangements

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

astonishment

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

averted

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

bloodnounUS /blood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

brief

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

change

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

confusion

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

dabbled

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

door

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

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

dying

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

end

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

extremity

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

eyes

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

farther

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

features

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

feeble

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

gait

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

hastened

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

horror

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

human

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

image

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

immediately

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

instant

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

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

intrusion

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

language

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

large

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

latch

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

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

material

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

meet

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

minepronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

mirror

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

moment

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

now

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

own

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

pale

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

perceptible

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

person

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

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

portray

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

possessed

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

presented

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

prevent

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

produce

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

returnednounUS /ˈreturned/

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

room

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

some

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

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

spectacle

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

stepped

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

sufficient

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

terror

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

then

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I hastened to prevent an intrusion, and then immediately returned to my dying antagonist.

tottering

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

tried

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

From this reading At that instant some person tried the latch of the door.

up

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

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

upper

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

From this reading The brief moment in which I averted my eyes had been sufficient to produce, apparently, a material change in the arrangements at the upper or farther end of the room.

view

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading But what human language can adequately portray that astonishment, that horror which possessed me at the spectacle then presented to view?

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A large mirror,—so at first it seemed to me in my confusion—now stood where none had been perceptible before; and, as I stepped up to it in extremity of terror, mine own image, but with features all pale and dabbled in blood, advanced to meet me with a feeble and tottering gait.