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Barbara Blomberg — Complete
Barbara Blomberg — Complete

Chapter XXXIII

Cover illustration for Barbara Blomberg — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Three years passed.
Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Barbara Blomberg — Complete

Chapter XXXIII

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Three years passed.
Line 2
Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.
Line 3
Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!
Line 4
Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.
Line 5
The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.”

Looked noun US /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Three years passed.”

Since preposition US /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading “Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.”

Splendour noun US /ˈsplendər/

magnificent and impressive appearance

From this reading “Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!”

All words in this reading · 84

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 Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

artisans

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

Barbara

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

belonged

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

Brabant

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

Brussels

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

canals

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

capital

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

certainly

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

Charles

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

citizens

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

city

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

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

common

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

contained

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

described

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

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

distinctly

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

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

drive

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

Emperor

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

expected

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

find

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

flourishing

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

given

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

Gombert's

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

HerenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

hill

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

hitherto

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

house

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

how

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

husband

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

imagination

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

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

industrious

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

intersected

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

Landshut

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

lookednounUS /looked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

lower

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

modest

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

musician

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

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

numerous

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

occupied

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

palace

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Three years passed.

people

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

portion

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

pretty

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

quarter

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

residence

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

rich

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

river

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

Saint-Gery

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

seen

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

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

Senne

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

share

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

skilful

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

sons

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

splendournounUS /ˈsplendər/

magnificent and impressive appearance

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

stories

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

Three

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

From this reading Three years passed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

two

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

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

unlike

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

upper

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

From this reading The lower portion, intersected by the river Senne and numerous canals, belonged to the rich, industrious citizens, the skilful artisans, and the common people; the upper, which occupied a hill, contained the great Brabant palace, the residence of the Emperor Charles.

very

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

vivid

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

From this reading Since the musician had described the city, she had seen it distinctly before her in her vivid imagination.

wealthy

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading Here the capital of wealthy, flourishing Brabant certainly looked very unlike what she had expected from Gombert's stories; and how little share she had had hitherto in the splendour which on the drive to Landshut she had expected to find in Brussels!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Barbara occupied with her husband and the two sons she had given him a pretty little house in the modest quarter of Saint-Gery in Brussels.

years

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

From this reading Three years passed.