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The Plattner Story, and Others
The Plattner Story, and Others

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for The Plattner Story, and Others
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.
How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.
It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.
Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.
In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.
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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 Plattner Story, and Others

Chapter IV

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.
Line 2
How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.
Line 3
It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.
Line 4
Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.
Line 5
In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

Learner Dictionary

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

Another noun US /ˈanother/

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

From this reading “In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.”

Creature noun US /ˈcreature/

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

From this reading “At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.”

Current noun US /ˈcurrent/

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

From this reading “Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.”

Glare noun US /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.”

Shadow noun US /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading “It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.”

Something pronoun US /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading “In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.”

All words in this reading · 90

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 At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

abyss

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

accomplished

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

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.

almost

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

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

From this reading In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

articulate

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

attracted

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

blinked

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

bordered

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

case

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

coming

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

currentnounUS /ˈcurrent/

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

cut

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

dabbed

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

From this reading In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

disengaged

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

Elstead

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

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

explain

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

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.

eyes

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

Fancying

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

felt

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

gave

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

glarenounUS /glare/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

globe

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

From this reading In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

hand

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

How

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

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

jacket

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

light

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

lungs

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

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

moment

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

From this reading In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

mouth

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

moved

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

mystery

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

noise

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

off

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

opened

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

out

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

padded

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

penetrated

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

profess

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

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.

rather

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

saw

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

shading

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

shouting

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

side

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

sideways

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

soft

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

From this reading In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/

a thing, without saying which

From this reading In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

speech

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

sphere

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

steel

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

swayed

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

From this reading In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

switch

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

then

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

turned

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

From this reading Fancying the light had attracted it, he turned the switch that cut off the current.

unknown

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In another moment something soft dabbed upon the steel, and the globe swayed.

vent

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

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It then moved sideways out of the glare into the mystery of shadow that bordered it on either side, and Elstead felt rather than saw that it was coming towards him.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading At last this unknown creature of the abyss blinked its eyes open, and, shading them with its disengaged hand, opened its mouth and gave vent to a shouting noise, articulate almost as speech might be, that penetrated even the steel case and padded jacket of the sphere.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading How a shouting may be accomplished without lungs Elstead does not profess to explain.