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An American tragedy, v. 1
An American tragedy, v. 1

Chapter XI

Cover illustration for An American tragedy, v. 1
Context Illustration Reading 1/78 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.
They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.
Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.
She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.
What was her exact relationship toward these others?
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

An American tragedy, v. 1

Chapter XI

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.
Line 2
They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.
Line 3
Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.
Line 4
She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.
Line 5
What was her exact relationship toward these others?

Learner Dictionary

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

Exact adjective US /ɪɡˈzækt/

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading “What was her exact relationship toward these others?”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.”

Let auxiliary verb US /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading “Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.”

Never noun US /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.”

Part noun US /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “What was her exact relationship toward these others?”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.”

Toward preposition US /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading “As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.”

Without preposition US /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading “They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.”

All words in this reading · 77

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

admitted

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

always

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

From this reading She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

any

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

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

arms

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

bit

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

breaking

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

From this reading She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.

cared

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

Clyde

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

condescension

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

dates

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

From this reading She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.

depth

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

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading What was her exact relationship toward these others?

fellows

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

From this reading She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

hold

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

Hortense

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

hungrily

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

insisting

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

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

keeping

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

From this reading She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.

kiss

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

knew

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

like

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.

more

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

much

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

nevernounUS /never/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

other

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

others

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

partnounUS /part/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

pressing

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

privilege

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

real

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

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

refused

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

refusing

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

From this reading She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.

regard

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

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

relationship

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

From this reading What was her exact relationship toward these others?

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading What was her exact relationship toward these others?

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

together

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

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/

in the direction of

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

two

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

ultimate

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

well

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What was her exact relationship toward these others?

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.

Why

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

wished

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

From this reading Why was it, if she cared for him the least bit, that she refused to do this, that or the other--would not let him kiss her as much as he wished, would not let him hold her in his arms as much as he would like.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading She was always keeping dates with other fellows and breaking them or refusing to make them with him.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading They were never together any more without his insisting upon the real depth of her regard for him.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading As Hortense well knew Clyde was pressing more and more hungrily toward that ultimate condescension on her part, which, though she would never have admitted it to him, was the privilege of two others.