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Basil
Basil

Chapter V

Cover illustration for Basil
Context Illustration Reading 1/11 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.
She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.
Best respects, too, from my sister Martha, and her husband.
And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.
As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.
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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.

Basil

Chapter V

Reading 1/11 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.
Line 2
She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.
Line 3
Best respects, too, from my sister Martha, and her husband.
Line 4
And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.
Line 5
As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

Learner Dictionary

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

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.”

Gentleman noun US /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading “And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.”

Poor noun US /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.”

Tell noun US /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.”

All words in this reading · 70

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 FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

all

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

bad

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

best

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

brothers

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

DEAREST

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

directed

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

doctor's

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

fond

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

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

getting

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

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

giving

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

HERdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

hundred

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

HUSBAND

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

I'll

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

I've

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

kind

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

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

kisses

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

letter

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

loves

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

Martha

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

From this reading Best respects, too, from my sister Martha, and her husband.

MARY

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

messages

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

mistress

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

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Best respects, too, from my sister Martha, and her husband.

news

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

nicely

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

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

now

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

PENHALE

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

place

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

poornounUS /poor/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

read

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

respects

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

From this reading Best respects, too, from my sister Martha, and her husband.

seen

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

sends

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

She's

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

From this reading She’s getting on nicely; and her mistress is as kind and fond of her as can be.

sister

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

From this reading Best respects, too, from my sister Martha, and her husband.

sisters

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

some

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

soon

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

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

Susan

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

tellnounUS /tell/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

too

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

From this reading Best respects, too, from my sister Martha, and her husband.

Treen

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

WILLIAM

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

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading FROM MARY PENHALE TO HER HUSBAND DEAREST WILLIAM, Susan sends a hundred kisses, and best loves to you and her brothers and sisters.

young

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

From this reading And now I’ve done giving you all my messages, I’ll tell you some good news for the poor young gentleman who is so bad at Treen.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading As soon as I had seen Susan, and read your letter to her, I went to the place where the doctor’s letter directed me.