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Without a Home
Without a Home

Chapter II

Cover illustration for Without a Home
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.
He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.
His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.
All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.
The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.
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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.

Without a Home

Chapter II

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.
Line 2
He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.
Line 3
His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.
Line 4
All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.
Line 5
The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.”

CONFIDENTIAL adjective US /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/

spoken privately and not for general knowledge

From this reading “CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.”

Remember verb US /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading “He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.”

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 CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.

All

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

asserted

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

awoke

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

From this reading CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.

banish

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

case

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

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

cold

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

From this reading His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.

colors

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

CONFIDENTIALadjectiveUS /ˌkɑnfəˈdɛnʃəl/

spoken privately and not for general knowledge

From this reading CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.

deeper

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

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

despondency

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

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

dreaming

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

dull

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

elation

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

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.

evening

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

faded

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

false

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

followed

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

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

forced

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

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

foreboding

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

gray

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

From this reading His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

head

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

heart

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

hue

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

From this reading His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

Jocelyn

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

From this reading CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

light

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

Martin

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

From this reading CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.

more

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

From this reading His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

pain

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

place

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

previous

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

prismatic

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

prospects

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

From this reading His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.

rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/

To recall to mind.

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

serene

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

shiver

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

From this reading CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.

sleep

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

sombre

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

From this reading His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.

steady

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

taken

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

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading His prospects had even a more sombre hue than the cold gray of the morning.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading All the false prismatic colors of the previous evening had faded, and no serene, steady light had taken their place.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

unconsciousness

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

From this reading He did not remember that he had been dreaming, but a dull pain in his head and a foreboding of heart had at last so asserted themselves as to banish the unconsciousness of sleep.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The forced elation was followed--as is ever the case--by a deeper despondency.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading CONFIDENTIAL Martin Jocelyn awoke with a shiver.