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The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories
The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"They were in constant motion about me.
They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.
Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.
To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.
"But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories

Chapter VI

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"They were in constant motion about me.
Line 2
They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.
Line 3
Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.
Line 4
To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.
Line 5
"But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “"They were in constant motion about me.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.”

Continued noun US /ˈcontinued/

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

From this reading “To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.”

Imagine noun US /ˈimagine/

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

From this reading “To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “"But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “"But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.”

All words in this reading · 110

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 Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "They were in constant motion about me.

accompanied

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

actually

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

air

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

always

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

articulate

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

atmosphere

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

away

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

become

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

Beings

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

brushed

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

carried

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

caused

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

ceaseless

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

centre

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

characteristic

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

circled

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

close

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

closer

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

confused

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

constant

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

From this reading "They were in constant motion about me.

continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

distinct

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

else

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

Especially

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

falling

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

force

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

forehead

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

hair

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

head

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

heard

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

impelled

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

impressed

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "They were in constant motion about me.

intense

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

just

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

like

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "They were in constant motion about me.

moment

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

more

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

most

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

motion

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

From this reading "They were in constant motion about me.

moved

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

movement

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

noise

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

past

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

permanent

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

possessed

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

pressing

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

rapid

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

recollection

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

rising

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

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

round

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

shoulder

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

side

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

sighing

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

stirred

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

strongly

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

there

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "They were in constant motion about me.

threatened

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

touching

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

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

tremendous

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

vibrating

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading "They were in constant motion about me.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

whirling

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

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

whispering

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading To my intense relief, however, I heard no distinct words, and the noise continued more like the rising and falling of the wind than anything else I can imagine.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "But the characteristic of these 'Beings' that impressed me most strongly at the time, and of which I have carried away the most permanent recollection, was that each one of them possessed what seemed to be a _vibrating centre_ which impelled it with tremendous force and caused a rapid whirling motion of the atmosphere as it passed me.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.

words

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

From this reading Especially in the air just over my head there seemed ceaseless movement, and it was accompanied by a confused noise of whispering and sighing that threatened every moment to become articulate in words.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading They stood close to my side; moved behind me; brushed past my shoulder; stirred the hair on my forehead; and circled round me without ever actually touching me, yet always pressing closer and closer.