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At His Gates: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)
At His Gates: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)

Chapter II

Cover illustration for At His Gates: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)
Context Illustration Reading 1/40 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.
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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.

At His Gates: A Novel. Vol. 3 (of 3)

Chapter II

Reading 1/40 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.
Line 2
At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.
Line 3
There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.
Line 4
The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.
Line 5
The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.”

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.”

Nobody pronoun US /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading “At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.”

All words in this reading · 95

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 It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

abroad

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

always

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

authority

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

aware

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

away

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

became

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

become

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

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

came

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

certain

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

college

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

community

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

consequence

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

disapproval

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

distinct

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

Drummond

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

Dura

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

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

envy

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

expedition

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

family

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

felt

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

From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

friends

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

fully

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

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

general

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

girls

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

From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.

gone

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

gradually

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

grandeur

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

From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

hearts

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

From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

home

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

how

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

idea

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

joined

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

letters

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

mixture

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

Ned

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

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

neighbourhood

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/

no person; not anyone

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

Norah

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

occasional

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

off

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

position

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

From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.

refused

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

said

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

some

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

spring

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The girls felt to their hearts the grandeur of her position.

then

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

There

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

understood

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

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

visit

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

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading It was a long time before it was fully understood in Dura what had become of Ned.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading At first it was said he had gone on a visit, then that he had joined some of his college friends in an expedition abroad; but before spring it began to be fully understood, though nobody could tell how, that Ned had gone off from his home, and that though occasional letters came from him, his family did not always know where he was, or what he was about.

whole

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

From this reading There was no distinct authority for this, but the whole neighbourhood became gradually aware of it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.

youthful

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

From this reading The general idea was that he had gone away because Norah Drummond had refused him; and the consequence was that Norah Drummond was looked upon with a certain mixture of disapproval and envy by the youthful community.