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 A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
acceptation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
alive
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From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
back
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From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
bare
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From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
burnt
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From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
came
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From this reading The doctors when they came could do nothing for him.
candle
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From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
compel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The doctors when they came could do nothing for him.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
Dawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
death-throes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
declaration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
discovery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The doctors when they came could do nothing for him.
doctors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The doctors when they came could do nothing for him.
ends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
Europe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
fall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
goes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
gruesome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The doctors when they came could do nothing for him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
hover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
live
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
longing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
mirth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
Night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The doctors when they came could do nothing for him.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
oblivion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
presaged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
Professor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
reveal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
rouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
science
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
seized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
seventies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
shades
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
skirts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
spice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
sunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The doctors when they came could do nothing for him.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
twenty-four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A spice of gruesome mirth seemed to fall into the situation when their declaration was laid bare and one thought of the great discovery.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
withdrawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘For the shades are about us that hover When darkness is half withdrawn, And the skirts of the dead Night cover The face of the live new Dawn.’
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Professor, though hardly an old man as the ordinary acceptation of the word goes, being still within the seventies, had so burnt out his candle at both ends that all the science in Europe could not have kept him alive for another twenty-four hours.
Wyndham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wyndham was the one who thought of it, and a wild longing to rouse the old man, who was now sunk into an oblivion that presaged death, and compel him even in his death-throes to reveal the secret that might bring even him back to life, seized upon him.
