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The Lighted Way
The Lighted Way

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The Lighted Way
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.
He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.
A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.
It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.
Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.
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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 Lighted Way

Chapter VI

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.
Line 2
He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.
Line 3
A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.
Line 4
It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.
Line 5
Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

Learner Dictionary

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

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.”

Thin adjective US /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading “A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.”

All words in this reading · 68

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

actually

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

From this reading It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.

all

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

any

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.

Arnold

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

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

arriving

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

associate

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

care

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

chose

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

close

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

commenced

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

commission

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

door

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

early

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

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

entrance

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

familiar

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

GLEAM

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

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.

half-hour

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

half-open

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

happened

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

From this reading It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

heard

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

instantly

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.

lunch

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

From this reading It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.

luncheon

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

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

Milan

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

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

ordered

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

people

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

recognized

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

some

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

STEEL

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

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

stream

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

table

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE GLEAM OF STEEL At the Milan, Arnold found himself early for luncheon.

Then

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

there

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

thinadjectiveUS /θɪn/

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading It was not until he had actually commenced his lunch that anything happened.

voice

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

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

watch

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

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.

way

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

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Then, through the half-open door, he heard what he recognized instantly as a familiar voice.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A thin stream of people was all the time arriving, but for the first half-hour there was no one whom he could associate in any way with his commission.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He chose a table quite close to the entrance, ordered his luncheon with some care, and commenced his watch.