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The Zeppelin's Passenger
The Zeppelin's Passenger

Chapter VI

Cover illustration for The Zeppelin's Passenger
Context Illustration Reading 1/27 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.
He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.
Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.
There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.
He swung round at last towards the telephone.
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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 Zeppelin's Passenger

Chapter VI

Reading 1/27 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.
Line 2
He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.
Line 3
Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.
Line 4
There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.
Line 5
He swung round at last towards the telephone.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.”

Appearance noun US /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading “There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He swung round at last towards the telephone.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “He swung round at last towards the telephone.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

address

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

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

appearancenounUS /ˈappearance/

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He swung round at last towards the telephone.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

capacity

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

change

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

closing

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

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

door

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

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

Dumble

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

extraordinary

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

eyes

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

face

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

fixed

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

forehead

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

frown

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

hand

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

hat

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

Henry

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

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

inside

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

Jimmy

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He swung round at last towards the telephone.

moment

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

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

pockets

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

possessed

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

red

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

room

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

round

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

From this reading He swung round at last towards the telephone.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

Sir

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

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

softly

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

subtle

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

swung

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

From this reading He swung round at last towards the telephone.

telephone

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

From this reading He swung round at last towards the telephone.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

There

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading He swung round at last towards the telephone.

twirling

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

two

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.

unmistakable

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

vanished

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

very

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

From this reading Jimmy Dumble possessed a very red face and an extraordinary capacity for silence.

visitor

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

From this reading Sir Henry, after the closing of the door, did not for a moment address his visitor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

whistling

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

wife

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

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading There was a subtle but unmistakable change in his appearance as he stood with his hands in his pockets, and a frown on his forehead, whistling softly to himself, his eyes fixed upon the door through which his wife had vanished.

yard

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

From this reading He stood a yard or two inside the room, twirling his hat in his hand.