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The Grey Monk
The Grey Monk

Chapter XXXIV

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Context Illustration Reading 1/24 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.
Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.
After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.
I’ll go and question him.”
Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.
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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 Grey Monk

Chapter XXXIV

Reading 1/24 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.
Line 2
Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.
Line 3
After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.
Line 4
I’ll go and question him.”
Line 5
Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

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 “After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.”

Ought modal verb US /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading “THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.”

Question noun US /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading “I’ll go and question him.””

Step noun US /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.”

All words in this reading · 80

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 ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

aloud

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

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

angry

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

ascertain

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

become

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

bent

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

brows

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

Chase

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

Clare

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

considering

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

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

daughter

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

debating

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

dependent

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

entrance

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

Evidently

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

eyes

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

few

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

filled

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

fuming

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

glaring

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

go

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

From this reading I’ll go and question him.”

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading I’ll go and question him.”

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

house

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

I'll

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

From this reading I’ll go and question him.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

Like

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

lodge-keeper

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

main

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

matter

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

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

moments

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

much

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

MYSTERY

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

Nixon

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

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

oughtmodal verbUS /ɔːt/

used with “to” to say what is right or advisable

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

particular

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

pensioned

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

post

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

pretty

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

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

questionnounUS /ˈquestion/

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

From this reading I’ll go and question him.”

Rigg

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

ROOT

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

said

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

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

shut

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

space

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

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

stepnounUS /step/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

together

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

Tower

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

up

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

why

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

From this reading Evidently the first thing to do was to ascertain why the Tower was shut up and what had become of Rigg and his daughter.

wife

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading After considering the matter for a little space, he said aloud: “Nixon will be pretty sure to know.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE ROOT OF THE MYSTERY For a few moments he stood fuming and glaring with angry eyes and bent brows at nothing in particular, while debating with himself what his next step ought to be.

Withington

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.

younger

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

From this reading Like Rigg, Nixon was another pensioned dependent of the house of Clare, and together with his wife, much younger than himself, filled the post of lodge-keeper at the main entrance to Withington Chase.