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The Dark Star
The Dark Star

Chapter III

Cover illustration for The Dark Star
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.
The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.
Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.
Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.
She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.
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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 Dark Star

Chapter III

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.
Line 2
The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.
Line 3
Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.
Line 4
Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.
Line 5
She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.”

Dream noun US /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading “Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.”

Thin adjective US /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading “The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.”

Whistle noun US /ˈwhistle/

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

From this reading “Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.”

All words in this reading · 68

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 subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

away

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

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

blowing

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

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

BROOKHOLLOW

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

candle

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

carrying

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

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

cheek

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

chestnut

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

child

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

closed

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

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

curly

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

dark

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

down

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.

fell

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

framed

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

freckled

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

goblin

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

From this reading Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.

hair

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

hand

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

horn

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

From this reading Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

lashes

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

light

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

Like

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

From this reading Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

mass

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

mill

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

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

mother

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

neck

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

o'clock

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

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

ominously

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

From this reading Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

rested

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

room

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

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

Ruhannah's

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

From this reading Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.

shading

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

shoulders

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

six

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

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

sleep

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

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

slim

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

sounded

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

From this reading Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

stirred

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

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

stole

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

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

subdued

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

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Like a goblin horn it sounded ominously through Ruhannah's dream.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading The subdued light fell on a freckled cheek where dark lashes rested, on a slim neck and thin shoulders framed by a mass of short, curly chestnut hair.

whistlenounUS /ˈwhistle/

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

From this reading Though it was still dark, the mill whistle was blowing for six o'clock.

window

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

From this reading She stirred in her sleep; her mother stole across the room, closed the window, and went away carrying the candle with her.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.

work-worn

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

From this reading BROOKHOLLOW The mother, shading the candle with her work-worn hand, looked down at the child in silence.