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The Mutable Many: A Novel
The Mutable Many: A Novel

Chapter II

Cover illustration for The Mutable Many: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/52 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.
The office was built between the two huge buildings known as the “Works.”
The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.
Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.
More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Mutable Many: A Novel

Chapter II

Reading 1/52 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.
Line 2
The office was built between the two huge buildings known as the “Works.”
Line 3
The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.
Line 4
Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.
Line 5
More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

Learner Dictionary

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

Above preposition US /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading “The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading “More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.”

Thing noun US /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.”

All words in this reading · 109

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

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/

higher than, or over, something

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

acquired

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

after-thought

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

AlthoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

always

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

architect

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The office was built between the two huge buildings known as the “Works.”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

bearing

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

big

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

birth

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

black-cindered

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

boots

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

brick

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

brooding

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

buildings

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

From this reading The office was built between the two huge buildings known as the “Works.”

built

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

From this reading The office was built between the two huge buildings known as the “Works.”

business

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

claimed

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

consisted

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

conveniently

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

earth

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

erection

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

evidently

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

factory

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

factory-yard

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

fall

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

feet

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

fog

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

foreseen

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

gates

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

given

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

heaven

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

hesitating

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

Hope's

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

huge

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

From this reading The office was built between the two huge buildings known as the “Works.”

hundred

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

hung

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

imprint

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

increased

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

industry

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

invention

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

John

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

joined

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

known

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

From this reading The office was built between the two huge buildings known as the “Works.”

London

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

looking

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

manager

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

many

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

moment

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

Monkton

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

More

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

most

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

mother

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

necessity

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

office

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

out

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

particular

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

position

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

represented

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

room

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

Sartwell

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

Siamese

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

situated

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

situation

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

soul

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

sticky

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

structure

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

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

suspended

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

thingnounUS /thing/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

together

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

town

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

twins

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

two

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

From this reading The office was built between the two huge buildings known as the “Works.”

up

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

whole

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

From this reading More and more room had been acquired in the big buildings as business increased, and the office--the soul of the whole thing--had, as it were, to take up a position outside its body.

window

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

From this reading The office of Monkton & Hope’s great factory hung between heaven and earth, and, at the particular moment John Sartwell, manager, stood looking out of the window towards the gates, heaven consisted of a brooding London fog suspended a hundred feet above the town, hesitating to fall, while earth was represented by a sticky black-cindered factory-yard bearing the imprint of many a hundred boots.

wood

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

From this reading The situation of the office had evidently been an after-thought--it was of wood, while the two great buildings which it joined together as if they were Siamese twins of industry, were of brick.

Works

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

From this reading The office was built between the two huge buildings known as the “Works.”

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Although no architect had ever foreseen the erection of such a structure between the two buildings, yet necessity, the mother of invention, had given birth to what Sartwell always claimed was the most conveniently situated office in London.