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A Charming Fellow, Volume I
A Charming Fellow, Volume I

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for A Charming Fellow, Volume I
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.
Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.
And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.
She never told a story twice alike.
There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.
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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.

A Charming Fellow, Volume I

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.
Line 2
Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.
Line 3
And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.
Line 4
She never told a story twice alike.
Line 5
There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

Learner Dictionary

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

Albeit conjunction US /ɔːlˈbiːɪt/

although

From this reading “There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.”

Hers pronoun US /hərz/

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading “And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading “Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She never told a story twice alike.”

All words in this reading · 66

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 And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

albeitconjunctionUS /ɔːlˈbiːɪt/

although

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

alike

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

From this reading She never told a story twice alike.

always

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

appear

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

apt

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

Beethoven

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

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

bore

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

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

commonplace

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

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

conversation

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

element

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

Errington

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

fertility

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

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

foundation

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

groundwork

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

herspronounUS /hərz/

the one or ones belonging to her

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

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

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

indifferent

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

manifestations

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

maternal

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

mere

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

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

monotonous

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

Mrs

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

power

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

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

prevented

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

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

producing

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

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

reproach

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She never told a story twice alike.

simple

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

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

spectator

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

story

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

From this reading She never told a story twice alike.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

surpassed

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

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

surprising

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

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

theme

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

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

There

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading And this surprising fertility of hers prevented her from being a mere commonplace bore.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She never told a story twice alike.

twice

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

From this reading She never told a story twice alike.

unexpectedness

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

vanity

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

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.

variations

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

From this reading Beethoven himself never surpassed her in the power of producing variations on one simple theme.

varied

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading There was always an element of unexpectedness in her conversation, albeit the groundwork and foundation of it varied but little.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The manifestations of maternal vanity are apt to appear monotonous to the indifferent spectator; but, in Mrs. Errington such manifestations were, at least, not open to that reproach.