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The Long Trick
The Long Trick

Chapter II

Cover illustration for The Long Trick
Context Illustration Reading 1/60 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.
It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.
The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.
Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.
The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.
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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 Long Trick

Chapter II

Reading 1/60 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.
Line 2
It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.
Line 3
The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.
Line 4
Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.
Line 5
The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

Learner Dictionary

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

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading “BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.”

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.”

Already noun US /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.”

Descended noun US /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading “BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.”

Express verb US /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading “It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.”

Vault noun US /vɔːlt/

a stone room, often below a church, used for burial

From this reading “It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.”

All words in this reading · 121

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 BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

ahead

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

air

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

all

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

almost

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

arc

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

BACK

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

blinds

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

bright

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

carriage

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

changed

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

circle

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

City

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

clattered

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

close

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

cluster

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

cobbled

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

confused

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

Cross

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

darkness

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

departure

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

descendednounUS /ˈdescended/

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

drawn

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

drowned

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

ear

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

ear-piercing

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

echoing

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

eight

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

end

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

engine

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

engulfed

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

entrance

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

escaping

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

evening

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

ExpressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/

to show or communicate a feeling or idea

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

far

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

February

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

fill

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

fog

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

green

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

hand

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

high

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

Highland

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

hiss

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

holding

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

hoofs

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

hooted

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

horn

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

horse's

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

huge

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

hung

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

inside

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

King's

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

lamps

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

LAND

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

light

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

lights

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

like

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

mild

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

motor

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

muffled

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

murky

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

near

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

o'clock

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

once

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

out

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

own

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

pall

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

paving-stones

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

persistent

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

platform

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

pools

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

presently

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

rang

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

reached

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

red

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

screech

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

shaded

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

Sounds

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

station

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

steam

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

strayed

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

subdued

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

there

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

threateningly

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

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

threw

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

TowardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading BACK FROM THE LAND Towards eight o'clock the fog that had hung threateningly over the City all the afternoon descended like a pall.

unseen

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

From this reading Sounds out of the unseen reached the ear muffled and confused: a motor horn hooted near the entrance, and quite close at hand a horse's hoofs clattered and rang on the cobbled paving-stones.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

up

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

From this reading The persistent hiss of escaping steam at the far end of the station seemed to fill the air until it was presently drowned by the ear-piercing screech of an engine: high up in the darkness ahead one of a bright cluster of red lights holding their own against the fog, changed to green.

vaultnounUS /vɔːlt/

a stone room, often below a church, used for burial

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading It was a mild evening in February, and inside the huge echoing vault of King's Cross station the shaded arc lamps threw little pools of light along the departure platform where the Highland Express stood.

windows

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

From this reading The blinds of the carriage windows were already drawn, but here and there a circle of subdued light strayed out and was engulfed almost at once by the murky darkness.