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Anna St. Ives
Anna St. Ives

Chapter XI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
_Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.
Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.
Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.
If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!
Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!
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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.

Anna St. Ives

Chapter XI

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
_Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.
Line 2
Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.
Line 3
Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.
Line 4
If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!
Line 5
Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!

Learner Dictionary

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

Canst modal verb US /kænst/

an old form of “can”, used with “thou”

From this reading “_Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.”

Dost auxiliary verb US /dɑːst/

an old form of “do”, used with “thou”

From this reading “Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.”

Duty noun US /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading “Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!”

Myself pronoun US /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading “Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.”

Think noun US /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “_Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.”

Thou pronoun US /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading “_Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.”

Virtue noun US /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading “Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!”

All words in this reading · 73

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 Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

abandon

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

From this reading Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!

Aid

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

Basely

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

From this reading Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

bliss

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

canstmodal verbUS /kænst/

an old form of “can”, used with “thou”

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

certainty

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

continue

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

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

Cowardice

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

From this reading If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!

de

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

deceive

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

From this reading If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!

delusion

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

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

despond

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

Doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

dostauxiliary verbUS /dɑːst/

an old form of “do”, used with “thou”

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

a responsibility that must be carried out

From this reading Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!

energy

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

From this reading Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!

entangled

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

explicit

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

follow

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

From this reading If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

forebode

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

Frank

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

heaven

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

heavens

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

Henley

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

Hotel

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

l'Université

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

moments

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

much

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

Oliver

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

others

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

own

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

Paris

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

perceivest

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

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

Rashness

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

From this reading If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!

rather

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

state

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

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

suffer

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

From this reading Do not suffer me to continue in a state of delusion, if thou perceivest it to be such.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

thinknounUS /think/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

thoughts

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

Trenchard

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

unravel

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

From this reading _Frank Henley to Oliver Trenchard_ _Paris, Hotel de l'Université_ Aid me if thou canst, Oliver, to think, or rather to unravel my own entangled thoughts.

unutterable

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

virtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading Basely abandon duty, virtue, and energy?--No!

wasted

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

From this reading Be explicit; tell me if thou dost but so much as forebode: for at moments I myself despond; though at others I am wasted to the heaven of heavens, to certainty, and bliss unutterable.

Well

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

From this reading If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading If I deceive myself?--Well!--And if I do, what is to follow?--Rashness?--Cowardice?--What!