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Beyond the City
Beyond the City

Chapter XIV · Eastward Ho!

Cover illustration for Beyond the City
Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.
He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.
He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.
"My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.
Try a pinch.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Beyond the City

Chapter XIV · Eastward Ho!

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.
Line 2
He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.
Line 3
He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.
Line 4
"My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.
Line 5
Try a pinch.

Learner Dictionary

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

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.”

Mine pronoun US /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading “"My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.”

All words in this reading · 75

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 Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

addicted

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

adorned

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

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

always

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

amiable

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

any

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

aquiline

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

bows

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

carry

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

classics

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

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

conversation

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

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

dear

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

deep-lined

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

descending

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

dwelt

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

face

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

firm

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

friend

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

half-cock

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

high-buckled

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

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

highly

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

indeed

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

just

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

listened

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

low

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

man

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

McAdam

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

minepronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

Mrs

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

neatest

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

offices

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

pinch

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

From this reading Try a pinch.

polished

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

recovering

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

said

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

scraps

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

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

Sir

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

snuff

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

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

snuggest

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

Squire

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

stock

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

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

story

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

table

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.

Try

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

From this reading Try a pinch.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

Westmacott's

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

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading "My dear Sir," said he, when he had listened to their story, "any friend of Mrs. Westmacott's is a friend of mine.

white-haired

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

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Mr. McAdam, of the firm of McAdam and Squire, was a highly polished man who dwelt behind a highly polished table in the neatest and snuggest of offices.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading He was white-haired and amiable, with a deep-lined aquiline face, was addicted to low bows, and indeed, always seemed to carry himself at half-cock, as though just descending into one, or just recovering himself.

wore

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

From this reading He wore a high-buckled stock, took snuff, and adorned his conversation with little scraps from the classics.