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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter VII · Case 07: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

Case 07: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, section 1: I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa
Context Illustration Reading 1/111 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.
He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.
Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.
A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.
“You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.”
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Chapter VII · Case 07: The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

Reading 1/111 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.
Line 2
He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.
Line 3
Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.
Line 4
A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.
Line 5
“You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.”

Learner Dictionary

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

called verb US /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading “I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.”

Collocations
I hadA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
had calledA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 81

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 He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

angle

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

back

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

BesideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

chair

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

Christmas

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

compliments

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

couch

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

cracked

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

crumpled

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

disreputable

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

dressing-gown

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

engaged

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

From this reading “You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.”

evidently

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

examination

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

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

forceps

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

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

friend

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

hand

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

hard-felt

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

hat

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

Holmes

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

hung

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

intention

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

interrupt

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

From this reading “You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.”

lens

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

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

lounging

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

lying

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

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

manner

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

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

much

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

near

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

newly

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

papers

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

perhaps

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

From this reading “You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.”

pile

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

pipe-rack

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

places

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

purple

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

purpose

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

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

reach

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

rightnounUS /right/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

said

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

From this reading “You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.”

season

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

seat

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

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

second

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

seedy

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

several

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

Sherlock

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

sofa

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

studied

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

suggested

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

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

suspended

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

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the purpose of examination.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

very

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

wear

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

wishing

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

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading He was lounging upon the sofa in a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly studied, near at hand.

wooden

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

worse

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

From this reading Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several places.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “You are engaged,” said I; “perhaps I interrupt you.”

Chapter Quiz

What is the central narrative or theme conveyed in this section of Case 06: The Man with the Twisted Lip?

Which core linguistic virtue or character attribute is emphasized in this passage?

According to the text: "VI....", what tone does the author establish?

Shadowing Practice

Narrator: VI.
Narrator: cannot recall any case within my experience which looked at the first