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The crystal claw
The crystal claw

Chapter XX

Cover illustration for The crystal claw
Context Illustration Reading 1/34 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.
The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.
Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.
Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.
I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.
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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 crystal claw

Chapter XX

Reading 1/34 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.
Line 2
The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.
Line 3
Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.
Line 4
Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.
Line 5
I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.”

All words in this reading · 82

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 CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

AIR-BALL

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

candle

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

centre

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

CHILD'S

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

close

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

closed

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

consciousness

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

dimly

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

dust

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

electrolier

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

EvennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

evidently

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

eyes

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

fantastic

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

fell

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

greeted

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

half-opened

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

happened

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

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

interval

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

lay

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

light

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

lit

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

measure

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

neglected

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

nostrils

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

only

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

out

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

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

piece

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

plate

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

polished

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

recognized

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

regained

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

room

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

round

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

saw

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

scene

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

set

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

showing

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

size

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

small

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

From this reading Upon the table a small piece of candle was set upon a plate.

smell

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

strange

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

table

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

thickly

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

From this reading Even by that light I recognized that it was neglected and evidently had been long closed, for a strange close smell greeted my nostrils and I saw that dust lay thickly upon the round polished table in the centre.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

tried

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

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

unfamiliar

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

unreal

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

well-furnished

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

From this reading The room was unfamiliar, of good size and well-furnished but dimly lit, only one light showing in the electrolier in the centre.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading I tried to make out where I was and what had happened.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading THE CHILD’S AIR-BALL When at last I regained consciousness, after an interval I could not measure, my half-opened eyes fell upon a strange scene, one which at first seemed to be fantastic and unreal.