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The Inner House
The Inner House

Chapter VIII

Cover illustration for The Inner House
Context Illustration Reading 1/49 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE FIDELITY OF JOHN LAX.
That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.
My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.
His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.
His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.
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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 Inner House

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/49 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE FIDELITY OF JOHN LAX.
Line 2
That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.
Line 3
My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.
Line 4
His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.
Line 5
His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

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 “His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.”

Ancient adjective US /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading “His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.”

FIDELITY noun US /fɪˈdeləti/

continued loyalty to a person or promise

From this reading “THE FIDELITY OF JOHN LAX.”

Interrupted noun US /ˈinterrupted/

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

From this reading “That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.”

Itself pronoun US /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading “His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.”

JOHN noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE FIDELITY OF JOHN LAX.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.”

All words in this reading · 88

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 That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

all

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

also

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

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

any

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

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

artificial

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

certain

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

chamber

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

closed

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

conducted

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

day

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

door

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

experiments

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

eye

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

Fabric

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

fall

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

FIDELITYnounUS /fɪˈdeləti/

continued loyalty to a person or promise

From this reading THE FIDELITY OF JOHN LAX.

food

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

force

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

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

furnaces

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

House

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

From this reading My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

idly

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

inspect

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

interruptednounUS /ˈinterrupted/

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

JOHN

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

From this reading THE FIDELITY OF JOHN LAX.

keep

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

kill

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

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

knock

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

laboratories

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

laboratory

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

LAX

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

From this reading THE FIDELITY OF JOHN LAX.

LifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.

manufacture

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

most

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

From this reading My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

Notes

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FIDELITY OF JOHN LAX.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

orders

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

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.

out

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

Porch

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

Porter

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

From this reading My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.

pretence

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

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

private

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

repair

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

room

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

servant

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

From this reading My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

sleep

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

South

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

strangers

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

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE FIDELITY OF JOHN LAX.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

times

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

trusted

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

From this reading My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.

try

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

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

turning

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

visitor

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

From this reading My visitor was the Porter of the House of Life, our most trusted servant, John Lax.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

way

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading That morning, while I was in my private laboratory, idly turning over certain Notes on experiments conducted for the artificial manufacture of food, I was interrupted by a knock at the door.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading His orders were also to kill any strangers who might try to force their way into the House on any pretence whatever.

work

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

From this reading His duty it was to sleep in the House--his chamber being that ancient room over the South Porch--to inspect the furnaces and laboratories after the work of the day was closed, and at all times to keep an eye upon the Fabric itself, so that it should in no way fall out of repair.