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The Birthright
The Birthright

Chapter XVI

Cover illustration for The Birthright
Context Illustration Reading 1/52 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.
At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.
Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.
Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.
Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.
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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.

The Birthright

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/52 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.
Line 2
At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.
Line 3
Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.
Line 4
Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.
Line 5
Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

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 “Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.”

Besides preposition US /bɪˈsaɪdz/

in addition to; as well as

From this reading “Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.”

FOUND noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.”

HEAR noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.”

Neither determiner US /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading “I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.”

PASSAGE noun US /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading “I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.”

Plainly noun US /ˈplainly/

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

From this reading “Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.”

SECRET noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

able

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

active

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

all

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

Anyhow

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

BesidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/

in addition to; as well as

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

brain

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

clearly

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

clearness

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

clever

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

comprehend

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

drugs

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

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

dull

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

ESCAPE

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

exception

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

explaining

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

far

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

flashes

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

FOUNDnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

given

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

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

greater

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

HAIRBREADTH

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

HEARnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

Hitherto

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

incapable

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

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

light

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

man

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

many

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

more

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

NOISE

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

now

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

occasional

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

ordinarily

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

partially

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

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

PASSAGEnounUS /ˈpassage/

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

past

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

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

PRISON

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

puzzles

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

quick

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

rendered

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

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

said

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

saw

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

SECRETnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

see

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

seen

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

shock

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

STRANGE

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

STRUGGLE

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Besides, I was sure that in the past I had been rendered partially incapable by the drugs which had been given me.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

things

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

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.

times

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

truth

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

From this reading Hitherto, with the exception of occasional flashes of light, all had been dull, now I seemed to see the truth plainly.

understanding

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

vision

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

From this reading Anyhow, the sudden shock seemed to have given me greater clearness of vision, so that I was able to comprehend things far more clearly than in the past.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

WILD

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

From this reading I HEAR A STRANGE NOISE IN MY PRISON--THE SECRET PASSAGE WHICH I FOUND--A WILD STRUGGLE, AND A HAIRBREADTH ESCAPE I have said many times that I am not a man of quick understanding, neither was I ever clever at explaining puzzles.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading At that time, however, my brain seemed more than ordinarily active, and I saw things with a clearness that I had never seen before.