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The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

Taxicabs, Hotels and Bibles

(Lesson 9)

Total words 118 Video duration 11:24



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shade

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
A video clip called Window shades, scotch on the dresser...

Window shades, scotch on the dresser...
show

the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
A video clip called I give another show at 8:00.

I give another show at 8:00.
air

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
A video clip called So desperate for air and room to breathe it in.

So desperate for air and room to breathe it in.
asset

a useful or valuable quality
A video clip called Toni Marachek, asset.

Toni Marachek, asset.
beginning

the event consisting of the start of something
A video clip called It all sounds like a very substantial beginning.

It all sounds like a very substantial beginning.
bible

the sacred writings of the Christian religions
A video clip called Taxicabs, hotels and bibles.

Taxicabs, hotels and bibles.
book

a record in which commercial accounts are recorded
A video clip called Tell him I run an honest book. I always pay off.

Tell him I run an honest book. I always pay off.
bucket

a roughly cylindrical vessel that is open at the top
A video clip called A bucket of gold. The dice came up seven.

A bucket of gold. The dice came up seven.
business

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
A video clip called What do you say? Let's get down to business.

What do you say? Let's get down to business.
charm

something believed to bring good luck
A video clip called Toni, you bring me luck. I'm gonna wear you like a charm.

Toni, you bring me luck. I'm gonna wear you like a charm.
check

the bill in a restaurant
A video clip called - Yes, sir. - Check, please.

- Yes, sir. - Check, please.
coroner

a public official who investigates by inquest any death not due to natural causes
A video clip called The coroner and the police were sympathetic.

The coroner and the police were sympathetic.
days

the time during which someone's life continues
A video clip called In those days, we used to think that this was real.

In those days, we used to think that this was real.
dinner

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
A video clip called - No. - Why not? We can order our dinner here.

- No. - Why not? We can order our dinner here.
doctor

a licensed medical practitioner
A video clip called The doctor very attentive.

The doctor very attentive.
dresser

furniture with drawers for keeping clothes
A video clip called Window shades, scotch on the dresser...

Window shades, scotch on the dresser...
fear

an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
A video clip called He used that fear well.

He used that fear well.
figure

alternative names for the body of a human being
A video clip called The sunsuit looks very well on her, Sam. She's got just the figure for it.

The sunsuit looks very well on her, Sam. She's got just the figure for it.
fire

the event of something burning (often destructive)
A video clip called We used to come up here when we were kids and build a fire.

We used to come up here when we were kids and build a fire.
gallows

an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging
A video clip called My testimony sent an innocent man to the gallows.

My testimony sent an innocent man to the gallows.
gold

coins made of gold
A video clip called A bucket of gold. The dice came up seven.

A bucket of gold. The dice came up seven.
guilt

the state of having committed an offense
A video clip called But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.

But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.
hallway

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
A video clip called I wasn't there. I left when your aunt came into the hallway.

I wasn't there. I left when your aunt came into the hallway.
ice

water frozen in the solid state
A video clip called There was ice on your tongue.

There was ice on your tongue.
increase

a quantity that is added
A video clip called To increase it, he made me part of another crime.

To increase it, he made me part of another crime.
look

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
A video clip called Better take a look.

Better take a look.
luck

your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
A video clip called You really think so, Sam? You really think I bring you luck?

You really think so, Sam? You really think I bring you luck?
outfit

a set of clothing (with accessories)
A video clip called I bought a new outfit. I want to show you. Well, let's take a look at it.

I bought a new outfit. I want to show you. Well, let's take a look at it.
part

something determined in relation to something that includes it
A video clip called To increase it, he made me part of another crime.

To increase it, he made me part of another crime.
philosophy

the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics
A video clip called - Life is funny. - That's philosophy.

- Life is funny. - That's philosophy.
piece

an instance of some kind
A video clip called You spoke your piece.

You spoke your piece.
pillar

anything that approximates the shape of a column or tower
A video clip called She was turned into a pillar of salt.

She was turned into a pillar of salt.
place

a general vicinity
A video clip called I got no place to go. I'll be here.

I got no place to go. I'll be here.
place

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
A video clip called It was as if my aunt had never died. He took her place.

It was as if my aunt had never died. He took her place.
power

possession of controlling influence
A video clip called Owning it gives you a sense of power.

Owning it gives you a sense of power.
privilege

a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all
A video clip called I have special privileges in this hotel, Sam.

I have special privileges in this hotel, Sam.
room

space for movement
A video clip called So desperate for air and room to breathe it in.

So desperate for air and room to breathe it in.
salt

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
A video clip called She was turned into a pillar of salt.

She was turned into a pillar of salt.
scotch

whiskey distilled in Scotland; especially whiskey made from malted barley in a pot still
A video clip called Window shades, scotch on the dresser...

Window shades, scotch on the dresser...
sense

a general conscious awareness
A video clip called But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.

But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.
service

a means of serving
A video clip called I don't like room service.

I don't like room service.
smoke

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
A video clip called Say, I smell smoke.

Say, I smell smoke.
soda

a sweet drink containing carbonated water and flavoring
A video clip called Whiskey and soda.

Whiskey and soda.
street

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
A video clip called You walk down the street and a girl asks you for a cigarette.

You walk down the street and a girl asks you for a cigarette.
sunsuit

a child's garment consisting of a brief top and shorts
A video clip called The sunsuit looks very well on her, Sam. She's got just the figure for it.

The sunsuit looks very well on her, Sam. She's got just the figure for it.
switchboard

telephone central where circuits are completed with patchcords
A video clip called Well, even a crummy hotel like this has a switchboard.

Well, even a crummy hotel like this has a switchboard.
testimony

a solemn statement made under oath
A video clip called My testimony sent an innocent man to the gallows.

My testimony sent an innocent man to the gallows.
thank you

a conversational expression of gratitude
A video clip called Thank you, sir.

Thank you, sir.
tongue

a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
A video clip called There was ice on your tongue.

There was ice on your tongue.
use

the act of using
A video clip called He used that fear well.

He used that fear well.
waiter

a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
A video clip called Waiter.

Waiter.
whiskey

a liquor made from fermented mash of grain
A video clip called Whiskey and soda.

Whiskey and soda.
wish

an expression of some desire or inclination
A video clip called - Make a wish. - I went shopping.

- Make a wish. - I went shopping.
apologize

acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing
A video clip called I apologized.

I apologized.
breathe

draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs
A video clip called So desperate for air and room to breathe it in.

So desperate for air and room to breathe it in.
bring

cause to come into a particular state or condition
A video clip called Toni, you bring me luck. I'm gonna wear you like a charm.

Toni, you bring me luck. I'm gonna wear you like a charm.
bring

cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
A video clip called You really think so, Sam? You really think I bring you luck?

You really think so, Sam? You really think I bring you luck?
build

make by combining materials and parts
A video clip called We used to come up here when we were kids and build a fire.

We used to come up here when we were kids and build a fire.
burn

destroy by fire
A video clip called Sam, don't. Let it burn.

Sam, don't. Let it burn.
choke

breathe with great difficulty, as when experiencing a strong emotion
A video clip called I've lived so much inside of myself, so choked with wanting something else that lives and breathes.

I've lived so much inside of myself, so choked with wanting something else that lives and breathes.
exist

have an existence, be extant
A video clip called That didn't even exist.

That didn't even exist.
fear

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
A video clip called But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.

But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.
get away

escape potentially unpleasant consequences; get away with a forbidden action
A video clip called He got away. He didn't look back.

He got away. He didn't look back.
give

convey or reveal information
A video clip called I give another show at 8:00.

I give another show at 8:00.
go out

leave the house to go somewhere
A video clip called I'm going out with Mrs. Neil, on business.

I'm going out with Mrs. Neil, on business.
imagine

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
A video clip called I never imagined anyone could die so quickly.

I never imagined anyone could die so quickly.
know

be familiar or acquainted with a person or an object
A video clip called How long have you known me?

How long have you known me?
lead

cause to undertake a certain action
A video clip called One thing led to another and...

One thing led to another and...
live

have life, be alive
A video clip called I've lived so much inside of myself, so choked with wanting something else that lives and breathes.

I've lived so much inside of myself, so choked with wanting something else that lives and breathes.
look back

look towards one's back
A video clip called He got away. He didn't look back.

He got away. He didn't look back.
love

get pleasure from
A video clip called Come on. Let's get out of here. I love to watch the city from this spot.

Come on. Let's get out of here. I love to watch the city from this spot.
make

give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
A video clip called - Make a wish. - I went shopping.

- Make a wish. - I went shopping.
order

make a request for something
A video clip called - No. - Why not? We can order our dinner here.

- No. - Why not? We can order our dinner here.
paint

make a painting
A video clip called But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.

But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.
pay off

take vengeance on or get even
A video clip called Tell him I run an honest book. I always pay off.

Tell him I run an honest book. I always pay off.
plan

have the will and intention to carry out some action
A video clip called What are your plans for her?

What are your plans for her?
run

direct or control; projects, businesses, etc.
A video clip called Tell him I run an honest book. I always pay off.

Tell him I run an honest book. I always pay off.
show

be or become visible or noticeable
A video clip called I remember I waited a long time in the rain... but you didn't show.

I remember I waited a long time in the rain... but you didn't show.
sleep

be asleep
A video clip called How did you sleep the night after they hung that man?

How did you sleep the night after they hung that man?
smell

inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense
A video clip called Say, I smell smoke.

Say, I smell smoke.
sober

cause to become sober
A video clip called Give that back to him when he sobers up.

Give that back to him when he sobers up.
stop

stop from happening or developing
A video clip called Or if you had stopped me.

Or if you had stopped me.
take

take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect
A video clip called It was as if my aunt had never died. He took her place.

It was as if my aunt had never died. He took her place.
take up

pursue or resume
A video clip called I'll take it up.

I'll take it up.
turn to

speak to
A video clip called I had no one to turn to.

I had no one to turn to.
wear

have on one's person
A video clip called Toni, you bring me luck. I'm gonna wear you like a charm.

Toni, you bring me luck. I'm gonna wear you like a charm.
attentive

(often followed by `to') giving care or attention
A video clip called The doctor very attentive.

The doctor very attentive.
crazy

affected with madness or insanity
A video clip called But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.

But he had deliberately given me such a sense of guilt and had painted such a picture of what would happen to me...that I was crazy with fear.
crummy

of very poor quality; flimsy
A video clip called Well, even a crummy hotel like this has a switchboard.

Well, even a crummy hotel like this has a switchboard.
desperate

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
A video clip called So desperate for air and room to breathe it in.

So desperate for air and room to breathe it in.
down

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place
A video clip called You walk down the street and a girl asks you for a cigarette.

You walk down the street and a girl asks you for a cigarette.
funny

arousing or provoking laughter
A video clip called - Life is funny. - That's philosophy.

- Life is funny. - That's philosophy.
funny

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
A video clip called I'm funny that way.

I'm funny that way.
high

happy and excited and energetic
A video clip called - You feel good. - Yeah, I'm high. I had a drink.

- You feel good. - Yeah, I'm high. I had a drink.
honest

not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
A video clip called Tell him I run an honest book. I always pay off.

Tell him I run an honest book. I always pay off.
independent

free from external control and constraint
A video clip called She's very independent.

She's very independent.
innocent

free from evil or guilt
A video clip called My testimony sent an innocent man to the gallows.

My testimony sent an innocent man to the gallows.
over

having come or been brought to a conclusion
A video clip called And even if it's over, quick...

And even if it's over, quick...
pretty

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
A video clip called She's a very pretty girl.

She's a very pretty girl.
quick

accomplished rapidly and without delay
A video clip called Hey, Toni! Come in here, quick!

Hey, Toni! Come in here, quick!
real

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
A video clip called From up here, it doesn't even look real, does it?

From up here, it doesn't even look real, does it?
seven

being one more than six
A video clip called A bucket of gold. The dice came up seven.

A bucket of gold. The dice came up seven.
special

unique or specific to a person or thing or category
A video clip called I have special privileges in this hotel, Sam.

I have special privileges in this hotel, Sam.
substantial

fairly large
A video clip called It all sounds like a very substantial beginning.

It all sounds like a very substantial beginning.
sympathetic

of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system
A video clip called The coroner and the police were sympathetic.

The coroner and the police were sympathetic.
unbearable

incapable of being put up with
A video clip called It became so unbearable that I wanted to tell the truth.

It became so unbearable that I wanted to tell the truth.
Lesson Instructions
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