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Athalie
Athalie

Chapter XXI

Cover illustration for Athalie
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.
After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.
Her wireless apparatus is out of order.
They are repairing it....
It was a bad storm."
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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.

Athalie

Chapter XXI

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.
Line 2
After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.
Line 3
Her wireless apparatus is out of order.
Line 4
They are repairing it....
Line 5
It was a bad storm."

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.”

Afternoon noun US /ˈafternoon/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.”

Hand noun US /hand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.”

Need noun US /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Her wireless apparatus is out of order.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading “After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.”

All words in this reading · 59

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 A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.

afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

anxious

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

From this reading After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.

apparatus

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

From this reading Her wireless apparatus is out of order.

appointment

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading They are repairing it....

Athalie

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

bad

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

From this reading It was a bad storm."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

client

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

close

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

concentrated

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

crystal

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

day

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

depths

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

drawing

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

gaze

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

hand

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

head

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Her wireless apparatus is out of order.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They are repairing it....

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

lingered

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.

made

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

morrow

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

neednounUS /need/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Her wireless apparatus is out of order.

out

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

From this reading Her wireless apparatus is out of order.

propped

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

repairing

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

From this reading They are repairing it....

said

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

From this reading After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.

sat

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.

slim

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

sphere

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

storm

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

From this reading It was a bad storm."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They are repairing it....

thoughtfully

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

wireless

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

From this reading Her wireless apparatus is out of order.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A May afternoon was drawing to a close; the last appointment had been made for the morrow, and the last client for the day still lingered with Athalie where she sat with her head propped thoughtfully on one slim hand, her gaze concentrated on the depths of the crystal sphere.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading After a long silence she said: "You need not be anxious.